Early saturday morning, the alarm goes. I am still very tired but there is no time for another wink; i promised to pick up two judoka. Fortunately, most of the things are ready yet. Yesterday we filled the luggage van with all sorts of goodies, we will be fine.
So, I jump in the chower, brush my teeth and attempt to shave myself.. oops, it is already 0600, and i must be in Amsterdam-North at 0615! A big swig of coffee before waking and with my sandwich in hand i jump in the car and race Northward. It is good to drive in the early morning, it is quiet on the road and no speed traps. At 0620 i am at the door of judoka 1, who whisks me through a quick shortcut towards judoka 2. Never thought to drive like this, and almost on time.
All other judoka were present at the Alphons and we drove to Den Helder reasonably on time. It is always difficult to put them through checkin all at the same time. But when you're on the ferry a large weight drops off you, for you know you will be going to a well-organised event with a terrific track record.
In fact, this is the 10th edition of the Texel Judo Tournament. The organisation thought to give the fact no special attention, but the competing judo clubs had their own thoughts about this, and would not let this pass. After all, 10 years of organising is not a small feat!
I remember meeting Henk de Vries on my cycling holiday, on the ferry to Texel with my children. I knew he was working with a small group of Special Need judoka. Henk was very interested in how to organise a tournament for once and wanted some advice. I told him that i would show up with 40 judoka if he would organise it, and his eyes began to shine. During the cnversation we became more and more enthusiastic, because i was planning a weekend out and about for my students anyway.
Because what is it that disabled people see, in general? Work, school, taxi back home, weekendtrip with parents, or visits when you do not live at home. In my enthusiasm i thought it would be great to have disabled people out and about on a weekend, without parents or family. Texel was the ideal spot. So when Henk and Inger invited us i grabbed the opportunity and turned it into a complete weekend.
Apart from the tounament, we always did something special on the Sunday. We went to the beachcomber's museum, watched the seals at Ecomare, visited the KNRM, the mudflats, too much to tell.
The tournament always was the cherry on the cake. Every problem was solved, no discussions, lots of enthusiastic volunteers: The Texel mentality really appeals to me. Be there for each other and help each other, that must be the Texel maxim. It is only fitting that Henk and Inger are put into the limelight for once. That the Queen saw it fit to elevate them into the Order of Oranje-Nassau, but also the golden G-badge and an honorary membership of the Judo Foundation is more than fitting.
As usual, i tried to mobilise the judo clubs but that is always difficult, there were only two judo clubs that responded, so that would not really help. So we checked the petty cash of Special Needs Judo and fortunately we could manage a small present. We made a photo collage, and arranged a weekend of wellness with Judo Club Rust, something Henk and Inger can certainly use: Whoopee, a day of relaxing in a thermal bath!
When Albert distributes the prizes in his own special way, we know the Texel Judo Tournaments are over, and that hurts.
Goodbye Texel, goodbye tournament, goodbye dear Henk and Inger, children and grandchildren, goodbye volunteers, goodbye seals!
For 10 years we enjoyed staying with you! MANY THANKS!
Ben van der Eng
Chair of the Dutch Inclusion Commission
