Sporttuin Moerwijk (‘Sports Garden Moerwijk’) is a community-based initiative in The Hague that uses sport as a tool for empowerment, connection, and development. The project was launched in 2013 in the Moerwijk neighbourhood, an area known for its socio-economic challenges. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant community hub where children, young people, and families come together around sport, play, and learning.

The initiative was created as a response to the lack of accessible and safe play spaces in the area. Located on a former schoolyard, “the Sports Garden” was developed into a multifunctional outdoor area with facilities for basketball, football, athletics, and more. It serves as a meeting place, where structured sports activities are offered alongside informal play opportunities. Local coaches, many of whom are role models from the community, lead the sessions. They are trained to not only teach sports but also to offer positive guidance and mentorship to the children.

Sports Garden Moerwijk places strong emphasis on social development. Coaches and volunteers aim to foster teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence in young participants. By providing a consistent and safe environment, they also help children develop routines, a sense of belonging, and supportive relationships, particularly important in a neighbourhood where many families face poverty, housing issues, or language barriers.

A central element of the initiative is collaboration. Sports Garden Moerwijk works closely with local schools, sport clubs, welfare institutions and the municipality. Schools refer children to the program, while the municipality provides structural support, recognizing the impact of the initiative on both health and social cohesion. The initiative is also embedded in broader neighbourhood development plans, making it part of a long-term strategy to improve living conditions in Moerwijk.

To expand its reach and create more opportunities for the youth, Sports Garden Moerwijk partners with other sports clubs and social organisations. It’s not uncommon for children to be introduced to organised sport through the Sports Garden and then take the step to join a regular club. In this way, the initiative serves as a bridge, lowering the threshold for participation in formal sports.

Sports Garden Moerwijk does not only benefit children. It actively involves parents and other residents, creating a stronger sense of community ownership and pride. Adults are involved with the project as volunteers for the youth program, but also by exercising themselves in activities focused on adults. As such, Sports Garden Moerwijk is more than a place for sports: it is a catalyst for social inclusion, personal growth, and neighbourhood transformation.