KLABU X FILLING PIECES CELEBRATE COMMEWIJNE SPIRIT CLUBHOUSE OPENING
words by PHOEBE GIBSON-DOUGALL
Wan Switi Srefidensi Dey! It’s been 50 years since Suriname gained its independence, and to celebrate this significant milestone KLABU and Filling Pieces have come together to open the Commewijne Spirit clubhouse and tennis court at Community Tennis Suriname. Made possible through the support of On’s Right To Run program and community fundraising during recent years’ Keti Koti, the Commewijne Spirit clubhouse aims to provide over 6,000 young people with new opportunities to play, connect, and and build positive futures through sport and creativity.
image courtesy of FILLING PIECES
To inaugurate the new clubhouse and tennis court, a festive day of tennis, music, food, and togetherness was held in a true celebration of community and the power of sport. The festivities kicked off with a film that featured local children proudly guiding viewers through the new space and upgraded court—built to international tennis federation standards—major improvements of the centre’s previous time-worn facilities.
Community and creativity are at the heart of this project; local artist Fabian de Randamie, together with the children of Community Tennis Suriname, has transformed the court into a colourful artwork. Prior to the centre’s re-opening, the children attended creative workshops to design and paint the court’s pattern, which features the Allamanda cathartica, a flower native to the Commewijne district that symbolises growth and positivity. In a reflection of this artwork, the jersey and cap released by KLABU and Filling Pieces during Keti Koti 2025 features this flower, a nod to Suriname’s rich culture and landscape.
image courtesy of FILLING PIECES
Beyond this colour and creativity, the new clubhouse and court provide the necessary facilities for young players in Commewijne to train and compete at higher levels, something that wasn’t as possible before. This opens the doors to bigger and better opportunities for these players on a regional and national level. To celebrate the opening—Dutch footballer and one of the talents featured in the latest Keti Koti campaign—Jeremain Lens was present to meet with the young athletes and to inspire their journeys.
The Commewijne Spirit clubhouse also features the new KLABU sports library, a revolutionary initiative that is stocked with tennis rackets, tennis shoes and apparel, balls, and other equipment, encouraging children and community members to explore a wide range of sports together.
images courtesy of FILLING PIECES
“Growing up in a Surinamese household, the connection to my fatherland has been deeply rooted in my being. I have always dreamt of one day using what we have built to share this with where I’m from. Super grateful to finally be able to see all the hard work from all parties come together and turn into an actual clubhouse. Hopefully, this can be the breeding ground for the next generation.” - Guillaume Philibert Chin, founder of Filling Pieces.
“We are incredibly proud to officially open the Commewijne Spirit clubhouse, made possible through our close partnership with Community Tennis Suriname, Filling Pieces, and On's Right To Run program,” said Fleur Harmsen, Program Manager at KLABU. “By inspiring and supporting future generations, we’re helping create opportunities and positive change for young people in Commewijne and far beyond.”
The creation of Commewijne Spirit has been a collective effort, supported by On's Right To Run program and everyone who purchased the Filling Pieces x KLABU jerseys and caps released during Keti Koti over the past three years.
Support the Commewijne Spirit by wearing the jerseys and caps available in limited stock online and in KLABU and Filling Pieces stores.
images courtesy of FILLING PIECES
