Behind every vibrant sports community lies a solid foundation, Rotterdam Sportsupport is that foundation
In a city that is rapidly transforming into a World Sports City, the success of local sports begins not on the international stage, but in neighborhood clubs, on community pitches and in school gymnasiums. At the heart of that grassroots movement stands Rotterdam Sportsupport, an independent foundation that has been supporting and empowering local sports clubs since 2002.
During the ESWAM visit, Evelien Vonk brought the essential role of Rotterdam Sportsupport into sharp focus. The organization, which receives the majority of its funding from the City of Rotterdam, is dedicated to helping sports clubs thrive in a changing sports landscape. With a team of around 60 staff members, many of them part-time, the foundation provides a wide array of services designed to build resilient, inclusive and well-organized sports communities.
Rotterdam's sports clubs are unique in their structure. They are not commercial enterprises but rather social institutions, rooted in volunteerism and local identity. These clubs offer a safe and welcoming environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to play, compete and connect. But maintaining such spaces takes more than passion. It requires expertise, support and long-term vision. That’s where Rotterdam Sportsupport steps in.
The foundation currently works with around 360 sports clubs throughout the city, providing tailored guidance on everything from legal and financial affairs to governance, volunteer management and membership growth. Each district in Rotterdam is assigned a dedicated account manager who maintains a close relationship with local clubs. In addition, a team of specialists is available to help clubs with strategic planning, compliance and internal development.
One of Rotterdam Sportsupport’s standout initiatives is the School Sports Association. This program was designed to bring sports into neighborhoods where access to facilities and structured activities is limited. Active in 22 different areas, the School Sports Association partners with local primary schools to offer after-school sports sessions that run for 40 weeks a year. Qualified PE teachers lead these sessions, while the foundation handles logistics and coordination behind the scenes.
The impact of the School Sports Association is remarkable. Children who take part not only develop greater confidence and stronger social skills, but they also report enjoying school more. Beyond the immediate benefits to children, the program has a ripple effect throughout families and communities. One in three parents whose children participate report becoming more physically active themselves. This kind of intergenerational impact is exactly what Rotterdam Sportsupport aims to create, a lifestyle of movement that extends beyond the sports field.
Financial and operational sustainability is another cornerstone of the foundation’s mission. Many clubs struggle not because of lack of passion, but because of structural challenges: limited income, lack of subsidies, outdated equipment or poor financial oversight. Rotterdam Sportsupport addresses these challenges through personalized guidance and access to funding. Clubs can apply for small grants, receive help with subsidy applications and even receive one-on-one coaching in areas like budgeting, sponsorship and fundraising strategies. These services proved especially vital during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when many clubs faced uncertainty. Rotterdam Sportsupport helped ensure stability and continuity in those difficult times, demonstrating its value as a trusted ally in the sports ecosystem.
“...true strength lies in what happens on the ground.”
Rotterdam Sportsupport is more than a service provider, it is a partner, a knowledge center and a force behind the scenes that keeps the city’s sports culture alive and thriving. Whether it’s helping a small neighborhood football club register new volunteers or guiding a multi-sport association through a complex legal process, the foundation’s work is deeply woven into the social fabric of the city.
The organization also plays a key role in connecting the worlds of health and sport. The Sports Activation Coach platform, a recent and innovative initiative, bridges the gap between healthcare providers and community sports offerings. Designed with healthcare professionals and social workers in mind, the platform helps them refer inactive individuals to accessible, enjoyable and low-barrier sports activities in their own neighborhoods.
The Sports Activation Coach focuses not just on getting people to move, but on helping them feel welcome and supported from the first session. Activities are structured to be affordable, no more than €10 per session, and must offer a warm atmosphere, free trial opportunities and a focus on social interaction. In one unique example, a Rotterdam-based healthcare provider offers a 16-week program in which clients are continuously guided toward sustainable activity through Move Coach. The platform is co-financed by both the sports and healthcare departments of the government, reflecting a growing awareness that physical activity is a powerful form of prevention and treatment.
Rotterdam’s journey toward becoming a global sports capital cannot be separated from the health and resilience of its grassroots sports infrastructure. And in that equation, Rotterdam Sportsupport plays an indispensable role. By investing in clubs, empowering communities and creating strong connections between sport, health and education, the foundation ensures that every resident, not just athletes, can benefit from the power of sport.
In a world where many cities look upward to global recognition, Rotterdam is showing that true strength lies in what happens on the ground. And it is here, in the quiet support of clubs and coaches, of parents and players, that the future of sport truly takes shape.
Evelien Vonk projectleader @ Rotterdam Sportsupport