Kortrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – KV Kortrijk hosted its first “Football Memories” at Guldensporen Stadium with 9 fans and caregivers. KVK legend Dieter Schwabe, buddies, and Alzheimer League staff helped fans relive historic moments.
As VRT news reported, KV Kortrijk held its first “Football Memories” afternoon for supporters living with dementia at the Guldensporen Stadium. 9 fans joined the event with family members or caregivers. The club transformed its dressing rooms into a space where participants could revisit the history of KVK. Specially trained people guided and assisted the visitors throughout the afternoon.
“A few weeks ago, we did receive training,”
says Buddy Pol Vervaeke, the former head of security at the stadium.
“It’s fun to help and bring people together. We shared a lot of anecdotes, and I noticed that it gave the people with dementia a sense of security this afternoon.”
What makes KV Kortrijk’s “Football Memories” special for dementia fans?
The main attraction of the afternoon was KVK legend Dieter Schwabe, a 68-year-old who played for the club for 12 years during the 1970s and 1980s. Schwabe brought old photos and jerseys and shared stories from his playing days.
“It was nice to talk to people and answer questions,”
said Schwabe.
“I noticed that people with dementia still recognise me, which isn’t always the case with younger supporters. You also see them brighten up when I talk about the old days, when much more was allowed than now.”
“You see, they brighten up when I talk about the old days.”
Dieter Schwabe, former player of KV Kortrijk
Els De Coster, staff member at the Alzheimer League Flanders, said the activity is important because football naturally brings people together.
“The people with dementia and the buddies share a passion: football,”
she said. Every session focuses on specific periods or former players, which are memories that stay vivid for people with dementia.
At the KVK event, participants also competed in a group quiz, sharing stories. KV Kortrijk is the 5th club in Belgium to organise such an initiative. Club Brugge, Racing Genk, Sint-Truiden, and Westerlo previously joined the Pro League program in partnership with the Alzheimer League.
“The plan is to meet every first Friday of the month for Football Memories,”
says Bauwe Dezeure of KV Kortrijk.
“This first instalment has already gone very well.”
The “Football Memories” program in Belgium began in 2022 as a joint initiative by the Pro League and Alzheimer League Flanders to support football fans living with dementia. Club Brugge was the first to host an event that year, followed by Racing Genk, Sint-Truiden, and Westerlo in subsequent months. Each session focused on specific periods or former players to help participants reconnect with memories.
