Mudguard x Vitesse: Building futures through creativity
PILOTING IN ARNHEM
In May 2025, Mudguard ran two pilot workshops in Arnhem together with Stichting Vitesse Betrokken and our contacts Rashad and Bram. As one of the leading foundations in Dutch professional football, Stichting Vitesse Betrokken runs countless community projects in and around Arnhem. Within their Community Champions program, young people between 12 and 21 years old are challenged to grow through sports, education, and creativity. Nine different groups each follow their own track, all built around the same mission: to show that everyone has a voice, and everyone has potential. That’s exactly why Mudguard is part of this, to bring our story of creativity and entrepreneurship into the mix, and to give these groups a platform for self-expression.
TWO GROUPS, TWO EXPERIENCES
The first workshop took place with a group from practical education. Despite often being underestimated, these students proved just how sharp and creative they are. With guidance from the Mudguard team, they translated ideas into original t-shirt designs, each with a personal twist. Soon after, we came back for round two. This time, Michelle, co-responsible for production at Mudguard, led the session with another group. The approach was more interactive and low-threshold, perfectly fitting the energy in the room. Everyone got involved, and the designs spoke for themselves. One of the highlights came from 15-year-old Boaz, who sketched people abseiling down from the Mudguard logo. “Because then Mudguard is something you can climb on, and hold on to,” he explained with a big smile. Simple words, but with powerful meaning.
A PILOT WITH A FUTURE
These two workshops proved one thing: Arnhem is full of untapped creativity, and Vitesse is serious about giving young people the tools to express it. For Mudguard, this was never meant to be a one-off. It’s the start of a long-term journey. In December 2025, we’ll be back in Arnhem to host four more workshops, this time with new groups: refugees, practical education, children with mild disabilities, and regular education. Each will get their own approach, their own moment to shine. Because we don’t believe in quick sprints, we believe in long runs, building culture and confidence that last.
