Supportersvereniging Ajax

Supportersvereniging Ajax logo

The Supportersvereniging Ajax (SVA) (English: "Supporters Club Ajax") also known as Ajax Life, is an independent supporters' organization associated with AFC Ajax, the renowned football club based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[1][2]

The SVA unites a diverse community of fans, each considered an Ajacied, though their engagement with the club varies. The organization caters to the needs of all its members, whether they hold season tickets, including away card holders, occasionally attend matches, or follow the club through media platforms.[3]

SVA members are spread throughout the Netherlands, with an active branch in Belgium as well. With a membership base ranging between 110,000 and 135,000 members, it is the largest Supporters club in the Netherlands. The average age of its members is 35 years, and approximately 9% are season ticket holders.[4][5]

In addition to its national activities, the Supportersvereniging Ajax is a member of Football Supporters Europe (FSE), a key platform that represents the interests of football supporters and communicates them to UEFA.[6]

Events

The SVA are widely responsible for the events surrounding the annual Ajax Open Training's Day, an event which takes place at the start of every season where the new Ajax squad members are introduced to the public in the Amsterdam Arena.[7] The event takes place in and around the team's home stadium and the neighboring training ground Sportpark De Toekomst. The event attracts thousands of spectators each year, and is one of the largest pre-season events surrounding the club from Amsterdam.[8][9]

The Supporters club has often appeared in the media in the Netherlands to take a stance on topics such as Stadium bans, where Supporters are prohibited from visiting away matches due to past incidents.[spelling?][10]

Ajax Life

Main article: Ajax Life

The SVA are also responsible for the Ajax Life website, as well as the Ajax Life newspaper, a bi-weekly publication with 20 issues appearing per year. The publication is delivered by mail to all members of the club with a reported total circulation of 94,000.[11]

Ajax Kids Club

Along with the Ajax Life membership, the SVA also offers membership for children ages 0–12 to the Ajax Kids Club. A combined effort with the actual football club Ajax, the Kids Club offers several events geared towards children centered on the team mascot Lucky Lynx and the football club, including the Ajax Kids Clubblad (kids magazine) with 8 issues appearing per year.[12]

Board and Staff

The board consists of the following members:[13]

  • President: Daniël Dekker
  • Secretary: Tijn van Hooven
  • Treasurer: Patrick van Amelsvoort
  • Board member Supporters Policy: Ine van Brenk
  • Board member General Affairs: Martine Eikelhof

See also

References

  1. ^ "Over de Supportersvereniging Ajax". ajaxlife.nl. Supportersvereniging Ajax. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Supportersvereniging Ajax heeft begrip voor huldiging op 5 mei". AD.nl. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  3. ^ "De Supportersvereniging Ajax (SVA)". ajaxlife.nl. Ajax.nl. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Supportersvereniging Ajax". AjaxCafé.nl. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  5. ^ "Supportersvereniging Ajax reageert op spandoek". RTV Noord Holland. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Football Supporters Europe". Ajaxlife.nl. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Zonnige open dag bij Ajax". RTV Noord Holland. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  8. ^ "Supportersgroepen laten Open Dag Ajax links liggen". ajaxlife.nl. AD.nl. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Seizoenskaarthouders minder belangrijk dan SVA leden?". F-side. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Geen supporters van Ajax bij uitwedstrijd tegen PSV". NU.nl. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  11. ^ "Ontvang eenmalig de krant Ajax Life!". Ajaxlife.nl. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  12. ^ "In de ban van het voetbal". Zaanse Sportkrant. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  13. ^ "Het bestuur van Ajax Life". Ajaxlife.nl. Retrieved 20 March 2014.