Soraya’s hobby of table tennis created a chance meeting over the net of a ping pong table at a KLABU tournament (which she ended up winning!) As the participants, a mix of newcomers and Amsterdammers, faced off at either side of the table, she mingled and learned not only people’s refugee stories, but about the KLABU mission to support people through sport as they rebuild their lives in new places. Soraya says that “hit every single button of my ideas - it’s so inspiring and as a sportsperson I can have a bigger impact on things that are happening in society.” 

Soraya also reflects on the welcoming KLABU club vibe she felt strongly that night. That community feel is something she has also personally always believed in, born of her Aruban heritage - that it really doesn’t matter who you are, where you are from or what has happened in your life, we all have a seat at the table, deserve the chance, and the right to play.

She has brought her footballing feet and infectious warmth to KLABU multiple times now, not just as a high-profile sporting ambassador but also as a role model for possibility. On the community square of the Mercatorplein in Amsterdam, she drew visitors into energetic play amongst Coco Olakunle’s KLABU photographs on a Unity Day to mark World Refugee Week in June 2024. She let herself be nutmegged by kids and inspired many to tackle a football for the first time. 

And on the KLABU clubhouse pitch at the heart of Ter Apel’s asylum processing centre, she drew more than 20 unaccompanied minors out of their dormitories for a raucous ‘Barcelona vs Ajax’ friendly taking of sides match. That play required no language other than the connecting love of sport, pulling in a crowd of curious and then passionate supporters too. And it energised not only Soraya and her former Ajax team-mate Liza van der Most who played too, but offered up two role models and inspiration to those building their new lives in the Netherlands.

With a Masters in Social Psychology, she really understands what a positive influence sport can be, saying; “If people just see what the impact could be, if you see your child being happy playing a game, I think that can help. And I think you don't need a lot. You need a ball and some passion”. Having made it from playing on the streets with the boys herself, to the Netherlands national youth team, and then 8.5 years playing and lifting trophies for the Ajax Women’s team, Soraya really wants to make sure in her work that no-one feels excluded from having that experience, intentionally or not. 

Her recent transfer to Telstar Women’s Team and its stakeholder partnership with Hera United is the next step on that journey, and very much designed for inspiration and future possibility. Hera United is about to make history as the very first Dutch professional club that is created ONLY for women, by women and not dependent on a club with a male team. Hera United hopes to gain a licence to play in the highest league in the Netherlands, and flip the perspective on its head, so that all young girls see that it is possible to dream of being a professional footballer. To make the entrance step into sports that little bit easier to access for everybody, Soraya feels you have to push the agenda, invite and really connect with girls, which is why she also heartily supports the idea of KLABU’s weekly women’s workouts for newcomers and locals in Amsterdam.

Soraya says she joined the KLABU because she sees it as a club where “everyone feels equal, and you don’t see that a lot in life”. She couldn’t be more right, KLABU is a club that will never be full, welcoming all: from our refugee community members and supportive professional role models like Soraya, to a funding partner, or anyone wanting to wear a KLABU shirt to do sports in. Sport can create connection, community and many more positive stories of inclusion and possibility, and the mission is for KLABU to be the biggest sports club in the world. So let’s see how many people we can get playing for Team Joy. Are you in?