Dutch Sports Culture

Dutch sports culture

The Dutch think that it is important that everyone has a chance to participate in sports. That is why there are sporting activities available for all ages and abilities. Playing sports is not just a healthy activity, but it is also a social activity. Sport clubs and organisations regularly organise parties, gatherings and other social activities.

If you join a sport club, your level of fitness and skills do not matter. They accept all levels, from beginner to advanced. In fact, most sport clubs in the Netherlands are organised in such a way that there is plenty of room for recreational athletes to practice their sport. And if you are looking to practice a sport at a high(er) level, please reach out to the club and ask them about the possibilities.

Voluntary Work

There are two types of sport providers in the Netherlands: sport clubs (in Dutch: “sportvereniging”) and commercial providers. The membership of a sport club is often less expensive than that of a commercial provider, since clubs are run by volunteers. The Board, the person behind the bar, and the trainer on the field, are often all volunteers. When you join a club, always ask whether they expect for you to volunteer or whether there is anything you can do for the club. With a commercial provider, you usually pay a bit more, but they will not expect you to volunteer.

Eindhoven Sport

Eindhoven Sport is the sports department of the municipality of Eindhoven. The department’s goal is to encourage as many people as possible to take part in physical exercise. They also rent out sport halls and fields and promotes the Ir. Ottenbad and De Tongelreep swimming pools, which are also part of the municipality.

You will find more information about sport clubs and sport facilities in Eindhoven at www.eindhovensport.nl or the website www.kiesjesportenkunst.nl or contact our sports coordinator Saskia Reuhman, reuhman@eindhoven.nl.

If you would like to keep up to date with what is happening in sports, please follow Eindhoven Sport on Twitter and/or Facebook.