Leo Bekema became the new kit manager of sc Heerenveen on June 1st. The 45-year-old from Heeg took over from Catrinus Stoker, who stopped after thirteen years, and calls the role a dream come true.
The news was reported this week by Slotoffensief. Bekema now combines his passion for football with his job. "I have been able to turn my hobby, football, into my work and that is fantastic. I am enjoying it to the fullest," he says. He started with a 40-hour per week contract, spread over five days, and hopes to stay at the club until his retirement.
Leo Bekema's duties are diverse and essential for the daily operation. His workday at sportpark Skoatterwâld starts at 8:00 AM. He prepares all training equipment like balls, bibs, and goals. He also co-ordinates the work of the club's laundry staff.
A significant part of his time is spent printing all clothing for the senior team and the youth academy. He ensures player numbers, logos, and sponsor names are applied correctly. On match days, he lays out players' kit in the dressing room and places balls and equipment on the pitch for the warm-up. For away matches, he packs all necessary football materials into crates that travel by bus to the stadium. Afterwards, he collects the used uniforms and sends them to the laundry department.
Bekema's path to the Abe Lenstra was not a direct one. He previously worked as an allround employee at a shipyard in Sneek. His football heart has been beating all his life. In his youth, he played for vv Nijland, vv Sneek Hovis, WZS, vv Creil-Bant and sc Joure. A cruciate ligament injury ended his playing career.
He then spent five seasons as team manager at ONS 1. After a 'football pause', he was approached by vv Heeg in August 2020 to become team leader of their first senior team. Last season he combined that role with assistant coach and also trained the club's 7×7 women's team. His new job at Heerenveen meant he left vv Heeg this summer. For the kit manager position, he was invited for an interview along with four other candidates.
Bekema joins a club currently sitting 11th in the Eredivisie. Heerenveen has five points from four games, with one win, two draws and one loss. Their recent form is DLDW. The team has scored five goals and conceded six, giving a goal difference of minus one.
The title race looks challenging for now, as the club is seven points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar. That opponent is next on the schedule. Heerenveen hosts AZ at home on Sunday, September 6th. A victory could significantly improve their position in the standings.
Leo Bekema's first workday began early. At 7:00 AM he already received a message from head coach Robin Veldman. He worked a day with his predecessor Catrinus Stoker to ensure a smooth handover. Bekema now feels welcomed by the players and staff.
One practical task he monitors is the management of match shirts. Players who swap shirts with opponents or give them to fans must report this to him. He then arranges replacement and billing, keeping stock and costs under control. His final preparation would be packing the crates for the home game against the league leaders on September 6th.
