Chapter 8 – First Day at the Club

Chapter 8 – First Day at the Club

Saturday morning sunlight spilled through the windows as Thijs sat at the kitchen table, swinging his legs under the chair. He was already dressed, bouncing lightly on his toes with excitement.

"Are we leaving soon?" he asked for the third time in five minutes.

His mother laughed as she zipped up her purse. "Almost. Your dad is getting the car keys."

Thijs hugged his football close. Even though he wasn't going to play right now, he felt better having it with him.

Moments later, they were driving into the city. The streets were busy, full of people carrying shopping bags, bicycles zipping past on narrow lanes.

Thijs pressed his face to the car window. He barely noticed the shops flashing by. All he could think was:

I'm really going to play football for a team.

They parked and made their way into a large sports store. Rows of colourful jerseys hung on the walls. Shelves were stacked high with football boots in every colour imaginable — black, red, neon green, even shiny gold.

Thijs's eyes widened as he looked around, but before he could reach out for anything, his father steered him gently toward a display.

"Let's get you proper shoes first," his father said. "You'll need them for training."

Thijs nodded, watching as his parents talked quietly to the shop assistant. Boxes appeared on the floor — different sizes, different brands.

"Try these," his mother said, slipping a pair of small black boots onto his feet.

Thijs stood up, wobbling a little. The shoes felt stiff and new. He took a few steps and looked up at his father. "They're okay."

His father chuckled. "Good enough for scoring goals?"

Thijs grinned. "Yeah."

They moved on to find shin guards and long white-and-blue socks. His mother checked the sizes, making sure everything would fit for a boy still growing fast.

Finally, at the checkout, Thijs stared at the pile of gear on the counter. Boots, shin guards, socks — it all felt so real now.

As they left the store, his mother squeezed his hand. "Ready to play for RC Huissen?"

Thijs nodded firmly. "Yes."

I'm really going to be part of a team, he thought. This time… I'm going to keep going.

Later that afternoon, Thijs sat in the back seat of the car, his new football boots resting in a box on his lap. His father turned the car off the main road, following a small street lined with trees.

"There it is," his mother said, pointing through the windshield. "RC Huissen."

Thijs leaned forward, eyes wide. He saw a few low buildings painted white and blue, and beyond them, bright green grass stretching out under the sun.

As they parked, he heard the faint echoes of whistles and cheering.

"Are there matches today?" Thijs asked, climbing out of the car.

"Looks like it," his father said. "Come on. Let's go inside and get your shirt."

They walked toward the clubhouse. The walls were covered in team photos — rows of kids in white and blue kits, holding footballs, some grinning, some looking serious.

Inside, a friendly older man behind the counter greeted them. Thijs's father explained why they were there, and the man disappeared into a back room.

Moments later, he returned and handed Thijs a plastic bag.

"There you go, little man. One RC Huissen shirt and shorts. You'll look sharp on the pitch."

Thijs peered inside the bag and felt a thrill run through him. The fabric was bright white, trimmed with blue along the sleeves and sides. He touched the club's crest printed over the chest, tracing it with his fingertip.

This is really mine, he thought.

"Thank you!" he said, his voice bright.

"You're very welcome," the man said. "See you on the field soon."

As they left the clubhouse, Thijs tugged on his mother's sleeve. "Can we go look at the matches?"

His mother and father exchanged a quick look, then smiled. "Of course," his mother said.

They made their way around the building to the main pitch. Thijs stopped at the edge of the field, gripping the plastic bag against his chest.

Older boys were running back and forth across the grass, their boots kicking up tiny sprays of dirt. The ball zipped between them, fast and sharp. A coach shouted instructions, and parents clapped from the sidelines.

Thijs watched in awe. The players seemed so big and confident, their passes crisp, their voices loud as they called for the ball.

One boy took a shot from the edge of the box. The ball curved beautifully into the top corner, and cheers exploded from the crowd.

Thijs felt his heart thump hard in his chest.

One day… I want to play like that.

His father placed a hand on his shoulder. "That'll be you out there soon enough."

Thijs glanced up at him and nodded, eyes shining.

I'm ready.

Wednesday afternoon arrived bright and breezy. Thijs sat in the back seat of the car, his RC Huissen shirt folded neatly in a small sports bag beside him. His new boots were tucked carefully under his seat.

He stared out the window as familiar streets rolled by, feeling a tight ball of excitement in his chest.

"Are you ready?" his father asked, glancing at him in the rear-view mirror.

Thijs nodded firmly. "Yes."

His mother smiled. "It's a big day."

They pulled into the small parking lot next to RC Huissen. Cars were already lined up, and kids in white and blue shirts were scattered around the paths, laughing and chatting.

Thijs climbed out, his shoes crunching softly on the gravel.

Inside the clubhouse, a man in a blue jacket greeted them with a friendly smile.

"Hello there. You must be Thijs!"

Thijs blinked and nodded. "Yes."

"I'm Coach Erik," the man said, holding out his hand. Thijs shook it carefully. "Glad to have you here."

Thijs managed a small smile. "Thanks."

Coach Erik leaned closer. "The other boys are outside waiting. Let's go say hi."

Thijs followed him through the clubhouse and out onto the field. The grass looked even greener than he remembered. A small group of boys stood near a cluster of cones, talking and kicking a ball back and forth.

"Boys!" Coach Erik called out. "This is Thijs. He's joining our team."

A few boys waved. One gave Thijs a curious look.

"Hi," Thijs said, his voice a little shy.

"Hi," several of them replied almost in unison.

Coach Erik clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone, stay close."

Thijs looked at the field, his heart beating faster. He could almost feel the grass under his boots already.

I'm really here, he thought. This is where it begins.