RedZoneAction.org Blog
2020-11-22 09:52

Location: Deventer Chronicler website
Date: 16th November 2020
Time: 14:02

Person: Bart Kampman
Title: Journalist

Deventer Devils is an exciting addition to the city but questions arise over hands-on leadership style of Vennegoor

The news that local billionaire Vennegoor has founded an american football team in Deventer, called the Deventer Devils, has been welcomed by local businesses and politicians alike. The economic impact the building of the stadium will have, cannot be underestimated. And if Vennegoor can fulfill the promise to fill the stadium, the long-term economic future of Deventer will get a major boost.

I spoke with some local american football fans and they were overall very happy with the news. "The fact we can watch real football locally, is a tantalising prospect", Larry (32) said, while adding "I used to travel to Tilburg to watch the Torpedoes but hopefully we can now have some local pride, and perhaps establish a bit of a rivalry". However one fan, who wanted to remain anonymous as he is an employee of Venegoor Industries Ltd, expressed concern, wondering if the (in)fanous hands-on management style of owner Ronald Vennegoor would gel well with how a traditional franchise is normally run. Owners typically sit back and hand over the reign of the team to a General Manager (GM) and the Head Coach.

The question that is already arising, is if Vennegoor will be able to resist meddling in the domain of the GM and Head Coach. Only time will tell but one thing is for sure: the Deventer Devils will have a profound impact on the city itself.

Bart Kampman is a Deventer-born journalist and the new beat reporter for the Deventer Devils and will report regularly on the ins and outs of the team. He previously covered the Rotterdam Rebels and was most recently working for NFL UK in London. The prospect of covering an american football team in his home town however, proved too much of draw and he happily moved back, taking a major pay cut in the process, to Deventer to cover the Devils.

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Tags: Inside Deventer Devils

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