Feyenoord came a step closer on Saturday to joining the Kitchen Champion Division with its U23 team. Jong Feyenoord settled in the U23 competition with Jong Willem II (0-4) and can call itself spring champion. There are still quite a few hurdles to overcome, but this will eventually lead to the coveted entry into the Kitchen Champion Division, where the major competitors have been active for years with their promise teams.
Ten years ago, Feyenoord decided not to register for participation in the second tier of the Netherlands due to the financial problems at the time. The Rotterdammers soon regretted this, because the Kitchen Champion Division proved to be an excellent preparation for the talents from the promising teams of the competition for the big work in the Eredivisie. Jong Ajax, Jong PSV and Jong FC Twente joined in 2013, but Twente withdrew after two seasons. Later on, AZ and FC Utrecht also joined their U23 team in the Kitchen Champion Division.
In 2019, the KNVB decided to launch a new promise competition, to which a promotion/relegation scheme was linked. As champion of the spring competition, Feyenoord Under 21 will face a fight with autumn champion Almere City Under 21 for the overall championship in the U23 championship. The title winner then plays a play-off for promotion/relegation against the lowest ranked team in the Jack’s League (Second Division): Jong FC Volendam.
If Jong Feyenoord settles with Jong Almere City and Jong FC Volendam, the Rotterdam team will therefore play at the third level of the Netherlands next season. The last step towards the Kitchen Champion Division is to win the championship in the Jack’s League (Second Division). In that case, Jong Feyenoord has to compete in a play-off against the lowest ranked young team from the right row in the Kitchen Champion Division. If all the U23 teams end up in the left row, Jong Feyenoord therefore has nothing to do with a possible championship.
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Click here for exclusive interviews, talent scouts, current positions and the program on our Kitchen Champion Division page.
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