Huizer Association 'Winter Guard' for US World Cup: 'Needs almost a ton'

Waving flags and swords in the gymnasiums, that's the Winter Guard's sport in a nutshell. The sport is not well known, but The Pride Association in Huizen is not involved in anything else. They can participate in the World Cup in the United States. But the small association could use some financial support for this purpose, says board member Henry Jacobs on the NH Gooi Saturday radio show.

Since “flags in the gym” are not well known in the Netherlands, The Pride cannot rely on government support. Therefore, the association must pay participation fees and other costs out of its own pocket. A total of 48 people from The Pride must cross into the United States.

“We want to pay for this through personal contribution from members, engaging sponsors and running member promotions,” explains Jacobs. “We're talking almost a ton.” To raise this large sum, the association has now started a crowdfunding campaign.

“This sport originally comes from America and came to the Netherlands in the 1980s,” explains Jacobs. “So we're trying to cross over to the Mecca of our sport, in Dayton, Ohio, where the World Cup will be held.”

So it's no surprise that the Americans dominate the sport, but that doesn't mean the Huizers will have to pack their bags again a day later. “We always aim to achieve the highest possible result,” Jacobs says proudly. “It takes three days and the finals are held on the last day. We have only failed to make the finals once. Our best result was fourth in our class.” .