As work and life continued during the German oppression, so too did sporting activities. Initiated by Roger Bolle, Armand Dossaer and Gerard Vanneste, football matches between the different divisions had already been a standard company item for several years. On 9 November 1943, the Group founded the corporate football team W.A.P. Sport (W.A.P. = Weef Automaten Picañol). The objective behind it was to create company brand awareness through the team’s sporting achievements. The name of the new club was the result of a prize competition; winner Georges Verschaeve was awarded a gateau for his suggestion. At that point in time, the club’s management consisted of ten members, Bernard Steverlynck being the honorary President. Remi Stroobrandt was appointed as chairman; Arthur Devos became the secretary and Roger Bolle the club’s Financial Director. Armand Dossaer, Louis Baete and Daniel Bouchaert formed the selection committee, while Aimé Geudens acted as trainer and Achiel Vanhulle as linesman. According to the foundation charter, the association strove to ‘provide physical and mental education as well as stylish amusement in order to raise funds for sick and injured colleagues with a long term disability’. During the club's first seasons, Managing Director Bernard Steverlynck took up the role of referee but was also active as a player in friendly matches. The war pushed prices through the roof. The asking price for a leather football cover was 350 francs; the inner bladder was sold for 25 kilograms of grain - after all, citizens of a city could only get grain at exorbitant prices. With two Ypres regional championships won, the club had its heyday just after WWII. The grounds of White Star Ypres at the Minneplein served as the team’s playing fields.
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