Centraal Instituut Opleiding Sportleiders

What Centraal Instituut Opleiding Sportleiders does

Centraal Instituut Opleiding Sportleiders (CIOSNL) is a Dutch foundation (Stichting CIOSNL) that coordinates the only national network of five dedicated MBO (secondary vocational) campuses for sport and movement professions, with locations in Arnhem, Heerenveen-Leeuwarden, Haarlem-Hoofddorp, Sittard-Venlo, and Zuidwest-Nederland. Each campus is embedded within a different Regional Training Centre (ROC) partner (ROC Rijn IJssel, Firda, ROC Nova College, VISTA College, and Scalda/ROC Da Vinci College respectively), and the foundation coordinates curriculum development, knowledge sharing, and applied research across the network. The organization offers MBO level 2-4 qualifications including Medewerker sport en recreatie, Sport- en bewegingsleider/coordinator, Bewegingsagoog, Buurtsportcoach, Leefstijlcoach, Trainer-coach, and Fitnesstrainer A, plus elective modules (keuzedelen) such as Yoga Instructeur and Leven Lang Ontwikkelen (LLO) professional development programs.

The organization's core technology is pedagogical rather than digital; no proprietary software platform is disclosed, and the educational offer rests on in-person vocational training delivered across five physical campuses. Applied research output is concentrated in the Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport, a national practice-research center spanning 19 mbo institutions that develops educational tools (conversation starters, scenario games, a serious game on social safety) and serves as a thought-leadership platform. CIOSNL also develops workbooks and curricula aligned with national sports federation standards through the Doorlopende Leerlijn Trainer-coach initiative.

The business model is government-funded MBO education: revenue flows through the five affiliated ROC partners rather than direct tuition, and pricing is regulated by the Dutch government. CIOSNL derives supplementary value from research grants, partnership income (HYROX, KNGU, NOC*NSF), and professional development programs. The organization serves three primary segments: MBO students (full-time BOL and work-integrated BBL), sport and movement professionals seeking continuing education, and government/sports organizations collaborating on workforce pipeline and national sport policy (Nationaal Sportakkoord). The founding office at Papendal (opened April 2023) houses the central coordinating function.

Name

Centraal Instituut Opleiding Sportleiders

Legal name

Stichting CIOSNL

Website

https://cios.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CIOSNL is a Dutch foundation coordinating the only national network of five MBO sport and movement campuses across the Netherlands, delivering vocational education (levels 2-4), professional development, and applied research on social safety in sport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Sports Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Referee, Umpire & Coach Education/Certification Academies (MPAKAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coach Education, Certification & Clinics (HSADAEAO), Strength & Conditioning / Athletic Performance Training (HSADAEAB), Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility) (EDAAAHAB)

Keywords

• Sports vocational education
• MBO sport programs
• Sports leadership training
• Lifelong learning sport
• Social safety in sport research

Headquarters

HQ city

Arnhem

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: As a publicly funded MBO institution operating within the Dutch ROC (regional training centre) system, CIOSNL receives government educational funding. Revenue flows through the affiliated ROC partners (ROC Rijn IJssel, Firda, ROC Nova College, VISTA College, Scalda/Da Vinci College) rather than direct tuition fees charged to students.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CIOSNL is a foundation that coordinates five MBO (secondary vocational) campuses in the Netherlands delivering sport and movement education at levels 2-4, including programs such as Medewerker sport en recreatie, Sport- en bewegingsleider/coordinator, Bewegingsagoog, Buurtsportcoach, Leefstijlcoach, and Trainer-coach/Instructeur. It also offers BBL work-integrated learning, Leven Lang Ontwikkelen (LLO) lifelong learning for professionals, federation-aligned trainer-coach modules, elective keuzedelen (e.g., Yoga Instructeur), and applied research through the Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport.

Product overview

CIOSNL (Centraal Instituut Opleiding Sportleiders) is a Dutch vocational education institution (mbo) providing sports and movement training programs across five regional locations. The offering consists of multiple mbo-level vocational programs (niveau 2-4) in sports and exercise, including qualifications such as Medewerker sport en recreatie, Sport- en bewegingsleider, Sport- en bewegingscoördinator, Bewegingsagoog, Buurtsportcoach, Leefstijlcoach, and Trainer-coach/Instructeur. Programs are delivered through five CIOS branches integrated into regional ROC (regional training centers): CIOS Arnhem (ROC Rijn IJssel), CIOS Heerenveen-Leeuwarden (Firda), CIOS Haarlem-Hoofddorp (ROC Nova College), CIOS Sittard-Venlo (VISTA college), and CIOS Zuidwest-Nederland (Scalda and ROC Da Vinci College). Additional offerings include professional development programs (Leven Lang Ontwikkelen), elective modules (keuzedelen) such as Yoga Instructeur, and the Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport research initiative addressing social safety in sports education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport: A national practorate (practice research center) focused on creating a socially safe sports environment, involving 19 mbo institutions and coordinated by CIOSNL.

Products and services

• Medewerker sport en recreatie (MBO level 2) MBO level 2 vocational qualification for sport and recreation staff, available at CIOS Arnhem, Heerenveen-Leeuwarden, and Haarlem-Hoofddorp, also offered in BBL (work-integrated) variant where students combine employment with one school day per week.
• Sport- en bewegingsleider (MBO level 3) MBO level 3 vocational qualification for sport and movement leaders, offered at CIOS Heerenveen-Leeuwarden.
• Sport- en bewegingscoordinator (MBO level 4) MBO level 4 vocational qualification for sport and movement coordinators, offered at CIOS Arnhem and other campuses.
• Bewegingsagoog (MBO level 4) Specialized MBO level 4 vocational program for movementagogics, offered at CIOS Heerenveen-Leeuwarden.
• Buurtsportcoach opleiding Community sport coach vocational program offered at CIOS Heerenveen-Leeuwarden, training professionals for neighborhood sport and movement roles.
• Leefstijlcoach opleiding Lifestyle coach vocational program offered at CIOS Heerenveen-Leeuwarden.
• Trainer-coach / Instructeur opleiding Trainer-coach vocational program aligned with the NOC*NSF Doorlopende Leerlijn and KNGU fundament modules, offered at CIOS Heerenveen-Leeuwarden.
• Fitnesstrainer A opleiding

Quantifiable outcome

• 19 mbo institutions collaborate through the Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport, making it the largest coordinated initiative on social safety in sport education in the Netherlands.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NOC*NSFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOC*NSF is the Dutch Olympic Committee and sports confederation. CIOSNL collaborates with NOC*NSF on the Doorlopende Leerlijn Trainer-coach (continuous learning pathway), aligning sports federation training content with MBO educational curricula. CIOSNL also works with NOC*NSF on Sportakkoord implementation and the Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport. NOC*NSF recognized the Yoga Instructor elective (keuzedeel) developed by CIOSNL.
• Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (VWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is a partner in the Sportakkoord and related initiatives. CIOSNL contributes to VWS-funded sport policy programs, including the Sport en Defensie maken weerbaar movement and the national practoraat on social safety in sport.
• VNO-NCWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVNO-NCW (the largest employers' organization in the Netherlands) is listed as a prominent partner of CIOSNL in inspiring and connecting to make the Netherlands more sporting, social, and healthier.
• HSO (Huishoudelijke Enq)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSO is listed as a prominent partner supporting CIOSNL's mission to make the Netherlands more sporting, social, and healthier through effective sport and movement programs.
• HYROX NetherlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIOSNL is the official partner of HYROX (World Series of Fitness) for continuity and quality in fitness race event support in the Netherlands. CIOSNL trains teachers as HYROX trainers and students serve as judges and athletes at HYROX Amsterdam, Maastricht, and Rotterdam events. The partnership provides HYROX with qualified staffing and gives CIOS students hands-on event experience.
• KNGU (Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIOSNL and KNGU have collaborated for years on training trainer-coaches. Together they developed three fundamental modules: pedagogiek, didactiek, and veelzijdig bewegen. Over 700 trainer-coaches have completed these modules. A new cooperation agreement was signed on 14 September 2024. The KNSB (Dutch Speed Skating Federation) and NSkiV (Dutch Ski Federation) have also joined the fundamental modules.
• Graafschap CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraafschap College is the co-lead (with CIOSNL) of thePractoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport, a national collaboration of 19 mbo institutions focused on research and implementation of social safety in sport education.
• Ministerie van DefensiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Ministry of Defence is a partner in the 'Sport en Defensie maken weerbaar' (SDMW) movement. CIOSNL developed the 'Ik ben mijn missie' workbook on resilience and resilience, which was officially handed over to Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans during NAVO on Tour in May 2025. The program includes a 3-day bivouac and 40 hours of community service.
• Nederlands VeteraneninstituutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Veterans Institute is a partner in the 'Sport en Defensie maken weerbaar' movement alongside CIOSNL, contributing to programs that build resilience in young people.
• Verbindion NieuwegeinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVerbindion Nieuwegein is a partner in the 'Sport en Defensie maken weerbaar' movement, supporting the initiative's implementation.
• Lectoraat Sportpedagogiek (Windesheim)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe Lectoraat Sportpedagogiek at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences collaborates with thePractoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport on research planning and academic oversight, bringing pedagogical expertise to the applied research program.
• Leerstoel Sports Risks & Safety (Universiteit Twente)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe chair in Sports Risks & Safety at the University of Twente collaborates with the Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport on research planning and academic oversight for the national social safety in sport research program.
• KNSB (Koninklijke Nederlandse Schaatsenrijders Vereniging)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKNSB (Dutch Speed Skating Federation) has joined the fundamental modules developed by CIOSNL and KNGU, expanding the cross-federation training program.
• NSkiV (Nederlandse Ski Vereniging)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSkiV (Dutch Ski Federation) has joined the fundamental modules developed by CIOSNL and KNGU, expanding the cross-federation training program alongside KNSB.
• MDT Missie (Maatschappelijke Diensttijd)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDT Missie (Maatschappelijke Diensttijd) is referenced as a partner in the Sport en Defensie maken weerbaar movement, offering a program with a 3-day bivouac followed by 40 hours of community service for youth personal development.
• Young ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung Impact facilitated teambuilding activities at the CIOSNL Studentendag 2024, working with mixed groups of students from all CIOS campuses on challenging team assignments.
• NATO / NAVOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 'Ik ben mijn missie' workbook was officially handed over to the Dutch Minister of Defence during the 'NAVO on Tour' day in The Hague, indicating NATO's indirect involvement as a platform for the initiative.
• MBO RaadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe MBO Raad (MBO Council) co-initiated the MBO conference on sexual boundary violations (SGG) and works with CIOSNL's Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport on addressing social safety in mbo education. 50 of 53 ROC institutions attended the conference.
• Regeringscommissaris Mariëtte HamercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment commissioner Mariëtte Hamer initiated the MBO conference on sexual boundary violations, in collaboration with the MBO Raad and CIOSNL's Practoraat Sociaal Veilige Sport team.
• Nationaal Sportakkoord (Dutch National Sport Accord)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIOSNL contributes to multiple pillars of the Nationaal Sportakkoord (Sportakkoord), particularly Duurzame Sportinfrastructuur, Positieve Sportcultuur, and Vaardig in Bewegen. CIOS students participate in local sport accords in municipalities including Goes, Haarlem, and Arnhem.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• KNGU (Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation) Trainer-coach pathway: Cited as CIOSNL's partner on the fundamental coach modules, but KNGU is also a coach-training incumbent in its own right. Treated as adjacent for the purpose of peer analysis — federation-driven rather than MBO-driven training.

Direct peers

• Other Dutch MBO 'Sport en Bewegen' programs (e.g., Drenthe College, MBO Rijnland): By 2016, 34 Dutch MBO locations offered 'Sport en Bewegen' vocational qualifications. The other 29-plus programs (Drenthe College, MBO Rijnland, etc.) directly compete with CIOSNL's five campuses for the same vmbo student pool delivering the same level 2-4 qualifications.
• Deutsche Sportakademie: German vocational sports academy delivering fitness, health and instructor qualifications. Directly comparable to CIOSNL's MBO sport & movement track, both operating as career-oriented training providers with multi-location delivery and federation partnerships.
• KNVB Coach Education: Royal Netherlands Football Association's coach certification track (UEFA-aligned). Comparable as a federation-backed coach-education pathway that competes for the same Dutch sport-leader students CIOSNL's Trainer-coach track targets, and is a likely collaborator/competitor on curriculum.
• Hochschule für Sport und Management (HMKW / MSH): German universities of applied sciences offering sports management and instructor degree programmes. Comparable applied/dual education model with industry-aligned curriculum and event partnerships, one step above MBO but in the same vocational-styled sports education category.
• Calo (Swedish national sports leaders' institute, Halmstad University): Sweden's equivalent institute for training sports leaders (Calo is the Swedish counterpart of CIOS in both name and mission). Comparable institutional model: national vocational/undergraduate route into sport professions, with modules co-developed alongside sports federations.

Broad incumbents

• BUas (Breda University of Applied Sciences) – Sport Studies: Dutch hogeschool offering applied sport management and coaching degrees. Comparable as an alternative higher-tier sport-education pathway serving the same Dutch student market looking for careers in sport.
• ALO Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam teacher-training in PE): University-level teacher training in Physical Education (ALO) at UvA. Comparable insofar as it educates sport professionals in the Netherlands, but at a higher (HBO/university) level with a different credentialing structure than CIOSNL's MBO track.
• Fontys Hogescholen – Sportstudies (Tilburg): Dutch HBO-level sport studies programme providing higher-tier qualifications (bachelor-equivalent) in sport, health and coaching. Comparable as a Dutch sport-education provider serving an overlapping but older student pool.

Emerging players

• Dutch Sportmediatype / Fitness Trainer Opleidingen (e.g., Fitnesstrainer A providers): Private vocational providers (e.g., Yellow Fitness Education, PIT for Personal Training, Fitwise) delivering Fitnesstrainer A and similar short vocational certificates. Targeted at CIOSNL's adjacent 'Fitnesstrainer A' short course market with more flexible, less credential-bound offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ciosnl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centraal Instituut Opleiding Sportleiders