St. Maarten’s youth footballer Simon van Iersel Invited to FC Utrecht Pre-Academy Trial

HILVERSUM, Netherlands--Twelve-year-old St. Maarten footballer Simon Marcus van Iersel has been officially invited to trial with the FC Utrecht Pre Academie Shadow Team O13, marking another major step in his young football career.

The trials are scheduled for October and November 2026 and will give Van Iersel an opportunity to train and be evaluated within one of the Netherlands’ established professional youth development structures.

FC Utrecht is a professional Eredivisie club based in Utrecht. Its Academy holds the highest KNVB quality rating and has developed players who have gone on to compete professionally in the Netherlands and abroad, including at international level.

The FC Utrecht Pre Academie is the club’s regional talent identification program, working in partnership with approximately 90 amateur clubs across Central Netherlands. Talented young players are identified through that network and provided with additional high-level training based on the philosophy and methodology of the FC Utrecht Academy.

The Shadow Team forms an important part of that structure. Selected players are given an opportunity to train and be observed over an extended period alongside the FC Utrecht Academy setup. Technical staff and scouts assess not only football ability, but also learning capacity, work ethic, motor skills and social development.

Players who perform strongly within the Shadow Team program can eventually be invited for an internal trial or placement within FC Utrecht’s main Academy.

For Van Iersel, who was born in St. Maarten and relocated to the Netherlands only last year, the invitation represents significant progress in a relatively short period.

Van Iersel’s football story began on the fields of St. Maarten, where his early interest in the sport developed at Alexander Play School under teacher Sofia and Coach Don Farrel, better known as Dongo.

He later played with Willfull Skillfull Football Club, followed by Risc Takers FC under Coach Frank, Coach Michael and Coach Brown, and IFCA under Coach Burton and Coach Brown.

In 2025, Van Iersel and his family relocated from St. Maarten to Hilversum in the Netherlands, bringing with it a new environment, language and football system.

He quickly immersed himself in the sport. His first football experience after arriving in the Netherlands was an FC Utrecht Summer Camp, an early connection to the club that has now invited him into its Pre Academie Shadow Team process.

Van Iersel continued his development at De Treble Voetbal School in Olympia while awaiting the start of the FC Victoria season.

At FC Victoria, Van Iersel came under the guidance of Coach Jip Verhoef, who recognized his potential early.

Van Iersel initially joined the club’s U12-4 team. After only half a season, his performances earned him an invitation to trial with the U13-2 team, officially designated U12-1. He completed the remainder of the season with that squad, helping the team finish second in the Hoofd Klasse.

This season, Van Iersel plays with FC Victoria U13-1, which competes in the 4th Division.

Earlier this summer, he also attended the KNVB Football Summer Camp, adding another development experience to his growing football résumé.

The FC Utrecht opportunity arrived shortly after Van Iersel’s U13-1 team played a practice match against a 3rd Division side and won 2-1.

An FC Utrecht scout was at the match.

Van Iersel did not know.

Days later, the invitation arrived.

Reacting to the opportunity, Van Iersel said:

“I feel shocked but proud at the same time. I remember talking to my mom about football scouts after the KNVB Football camp two weeks ago and here we are today.

I want to thank the Lord for always guiding me and making me injury-free during and after every game. To my parents and siblings for always being present at all my games and some of my training sessions. I am also deeply thankful for the support of my family here in the Netherlands and abroad, and to the social media community who has followed and supported my journey.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And last but not least, to my U13-1 coach, Jip Verhoef. Thank you for believing in me from day one and for always challenging me with new playing positions.”

The release also carries a message that has accompanied Van Iersel’s journey:

“Keep working hard. Soon you will earn your reward.”

His mother, Stacy-Ann van Iersel-Taylor, said the circumstances surrounding the FC Utrecht invitation carry an important lesson for young athletes who may not always know when their efforts are being noticed.

“Simon played that game with everything he had, not knowing a scout was present. That is the lesson. You never know who is watching. Always give 100%.”

The family also encouraged other young athletes to remain committed when opportunities do not come immediately, stressing the importance of training consistently, competing seriously and carrying themselves well both on and off the field.

Van Iersel’s ambitions also extend beyond the field. Alongside his mother, he co-founded SMVI Legacy, a business specializing in personalized shin guards.

The venture was created to inspire young athletes while helping to support Van Iersel’s football career. The customized products are designed around identity, culture and the belief that young athletes should continue pursuing their goals.

Van Iersel remains based in Hilversum, where he continues to play for FC Victoria U13-1 under Coach Verhoef while preparing for the FC Utrecht Pre Academie Shadow Team O13 trials in October and November.

For the 12-year-old, the invitation is another step in a journey that began on the football fields of St. Maarten and is now moving into one of the Netherlands’ professional youth development pathways.

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