Friendship Sports Centre

What Friendship Sports Centre does

Friendship Sports Centre (FSC), founded in 2010 in Amsterdam-Noord, is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating the only fully equipped sports complex in Europe designed specifically for children and young people with disabilities. It serves as the home of Sportclub Only Friends, offering 29 different sports to more than 900 athletes and approximately 2,000 weekly users, including children and youth with physical, intellectual, or sensory disabilities, seniors, and corporate clients. The facility combines a 25m heated accessible swimming pool (29°C) with a second 32°C instruction pool (both with moveable floors, hoists, and underwater lighting), a configurable multi-sport hall (€290/hr full, €108.50/hr per field), athletics track, artificial turf, Cruyff Court Hakim Ziyech, dojo, and adapted fitness room, alongside an on-site clubhouse, bakery, and horeca.

The centre operates an ecosystem of sub-brands: Sportclub Only Friends (sports club), Friends at Work (work-learn programme for young adults with PGB), Friendship Bakery (artisan products made by Friends at Work participants, including Easter chocolate and artisan coffee with Verdi Koffie Groep), Zwemschool Neptunus (own swim school launched November 2022), and Zorg voor Friends (care services with Zigzag since 2018). It is also pioneering the Positief Energie District (PED) with TNO, KLIK Klimaattechniek, Antea Realisatie, and Aendless Energy (announced May 2025), embedding heat collectors in athletic fields and developing geothermal storage and low-temperature energy networks to make the site an energy producer.

Revenue is generated through diversified streams: donations (primary, including the flagship Benefit Night that has raised €624,750–€733,000 per edition with ~700–800 guests, tables priced up to €4,000 excl. VAT in 2024), corporate 'Special Friends' sponsorships (120+ by 2017), venue and facility rental, swimming lessons, horeca, and bakery product sales (online and at new partners such as Madame Tussauds Amsterdam). The organisation is ANBI-registered (RSIN 811941723), CBF-certified since 1 July 2016, and operates with a very lean paid staff of 11–50 supported by 100+ volunteers. Recent milestones include a royal visit by King Willem-Alexander in February 2025 for the centre's 15th anniversary and Only Friends' 25th.

Name

Friendship Sports Centre

Legal name

Friendship Sports Centre

Website

https://friendshipsc.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friendship Sports Centre is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating the only fully equipped sports complex in Europe for children and youth with disabilities, hosting Sportclub Only Friends' 29 sports, an on-site bakery, and the Friends at Work programme for young adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adapted Sports and Disability Recreation Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks (MPAKAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Adapted sports facilities
• Disability sports programs
• Special needs swimming
• Charity fundraising events
• Accessible recreation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The primary revenue source. Individual donors, corporate 'Special Friends' sponsors, and general public donations fund the centre's operations. The centre holds annual Benefit Night fundraising galas. Individual donors can become 'donateur' (patrons). Corporate partners can become Special Friends or donate as a company. The Wall of Friends allows individuals to donate €100 for a named plaque.
2. Venue and Facility Rental: Meeting rooms, conference facilities, sports halls, and sports fields are rented out to companies, organizations, and individuals. Spaces include a Conferentiezaal (conference hall), Boardroom, Klaslokaal (classroom), Kantoor (office/meeting room), sports halls, artificial turf field, athletics track, Cruyff Court Hakim Ziyech, dojo, and fitness room. Rental prices range from €108.50 to €290 per hour.
3. Friendship Bakery & Snacks: The bakery produces and sells artisan products (bread, pastries, seasonal items like Easter chocolate) made by young people with disabilities participating in the Friends at Work programme. Products are sold on-site and online via the website. Special products include bananencakes and limited-edition seasonal treats.
4. Horeca (Bar and Restaurant): The clubhuis (clubhouse) operates a bar and restaurant open to visitors, parents, and event guests. Opening hours vary by day. The horeca serves drinks, snacks, lunch, and dinner. The facility earned the highest food safety score in the Netherlands (9.6) and the Veiligvoedsel.nl quality mark.
5. Swimming Lessons: Swimming lessons are offered through the centre's own Zwemschool Neptunus, as well as through external swim partners. Fees are charged per swimmer (+ companion). Swimming lesson costs were listed as €6.25 per swimmer plus companion.
6. Event Hosting and Corporate Activities: The centre hosts corporate events, team-building activities, sports days, and conferences. Companies can book sports clinics (wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, blind football), meeting rooms, and full event packages. Revenue is generated through rental fees, catering, and activity charges.
7. Friends at Work (Day Activity Programme): Young people with disabilities (ages 18-25 with a PGB) participate in a work and learn programme within the centre. They support facility management, kitchen, bar, and bakery operations. While not a direct revenue stream, this programme generates in-kind value and enables the bakery and horeca operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Friendship Sports Centre operates a fully accessible sports infrastructure in Amsterdam-Noord offering 29 different sports for children, youth, and adults with disabilities, together with on-site complementary businesses: the Friendship Bakery (artisan products made by Friends at Work participants), a bar/restaurant (horeca), swimming lessons through Zwemschool Neptunus and Friendship Zwemmen, day-activity work-learning programmes (Friends at Work), and venue rental for corporate meetings, conferences, and events. The centre is described as the only sports centre in Europe fully equipped for people with disabilities.

Product overview

Friendship Sports Centre is a unified sports and social facility that serves as the home of Sportclub Only Friends. It operates as a single integrated complex offering sports facilities, meeting/event venues, bakery operations, and work programs. The main offerings include: sports facilities (football fields, athletics track, sports hall, dojo, fitness room, heated swimming pools) for people with disabilities; meeting and event spaces for corporate hire; the Friendship Bakery operated by Friends at Work participants; Zwemschool Neptunus for swimming lessons; and annual Benefit Night fundraising events. The Centre also runs the Friends at Work day program providing work experience for young people with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Only Friends: Sportclub Only Friends is the sports club operating within the Friendship Sports Centre, offering 29 different sports for children and youth with disabilities.
• Friends at Work
• Friendship Bakery
• Zwemschool Neptunus
• Zorg voor Friends
• Benefit Night

Products and services

• Sportfaciliteiten (Adapted Sports Facilities) Full sports facilities including artificial turf football field, athletics track, Cruyff Court Hakim Ziyech, sports hall with adjustable dividers, dojo, fitness room, and two heated accessible swimming pools (29°C and 32°C) with moveable floors, hoists, and pool wheelchairs. Hosts 29 different sports for children, youth, and adults with disabilities.
• Vergaderen & Events (Meeting and Event Venue Rental) Rental of meeting and event facilities including four meeting rooms (Conferentiezaal, Boardroom, Klaslokaal, Kantoor), six sports spaces (artificial turf field, athletics track, Cruyff Court Hakim Ziyech, sports hall, dojo, fitness room), and sports clinics (wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, blind football) for corporate meetings, conferences, team-building, and sports days.
• Friendship Bakery & Snacks On-site bakery producing artisan bread, pastries, croquettes, bitterballen, seasonal treats (e.g., Easter chocolate), and coffee, operated by Friends at Work participants with disabilities. Products sold on-site and online via the website with free home delivery within the Netherlands. Highest food safety score in the Netherlands (9.6/10) for the centre and 8.9/10 for the bakery under the Veiligvoedsel.nl quality mark.
• Friendship Zwemmen (Accessible Swimming) Open swimming for adults with a medical preference for warmer pool water, swimming lessons for children with disabilities, and dolphin therapy sessions in partnership with Stichting SAM and The Dolphin Swim Club. Uses the centre's two heated accessible pools (29°C and 32°C) with moveable floors, hoists, and pool wheelchairs.
• Zwemschool Neptunus (Swimming School) The centre's own swimming school offering swimming lessons for children, operating within the Friendship Sports Centre facilities with qualified instructors.
• Friends at Work (Dagbesteding / Work-Learning Programme) Day-activity and work-learning programme for young people with disabilities or chronic illness (ages 18–25 with a PGB), providing employment experience in the bakery, kitchen, bar, facility management, and maintenance within the centre.
• Benefit Night (Annual Fundraising Gala) Annual flagship fundraising gala event featuring entertainment, dinner, auctions, and lottery to support the sports centre and Only Friends sports club. Editions have raised €656,570 (2018), €733,000 (2019), and €624,750 (2022), with 700–800+ guests per night.
• Wall of Friends (Named Donation Plaques) Donation programme where individuals donate €100 once to have their name displayed permanently on a named plaque in the clubhouse.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 900 children and young people with disabilities regularly exercise at the centre across 29 sports.
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, strategic and core.

• Viets&GominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 August 2025Starting August 2025, companies leasing e-bikes through Viets&Go automatically make monthly donations to the FSC. The partnership allows businesses to contribute to the FSC's mission through their sustainable mobility budget. Via dedicated landing page vietsengo.nl/only-friends.
• Madame Tussauds Amsterdam / This Is HollandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 August 2025New partners as of April 2025. These venues now serve Friendship Bakery products (appeltaart) and staff from these companies visited the FSC as part of the partnership. The collaboration was announced as part of welcoming new 'Friends' of the FSC.
• TNO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast wetenschappelijk onderzoek)strategicTechnology or Integration · 29 May 2025TNO is project lead in the development of a Positief Energie District (PED) at the FSC. TNO conducts research and simulations of the energy system. The consortium includes KLIK Klimaattechniek (geothermal systems), Antea Realisatie (heat collectors in athletics track), and Aendless Energy (business models). Funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate TKI Urban Energy programme.
• KLIK KlimaattechniekstrategicTechnology or Integration · 29 May 2025Part of the Positief Energie District (PED) consortium. KLIK is responsible for the design and integration of geothermal energy systems at the FSC, enabling seasonal heat storage and sustainable heating.
• Antea RealisatiestrategicTechnology or Integration · 29 May 2025Part of the Positief Energie District (PED) consortium. Antea Realisatie is developing heat collectors embedded in the athletics track and sports fields to capture and store solar thermal energy.
• Aendless EnergystrategicTechnology or Integration · 29 May 2025Part of the Positief Energie District (PED) consortium. Aendless Energy is responsible for developing business models and innovative collaboration structures for the sustainable energy district.
• Jumping AmsterdamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 January 2024Jumping Amsterdam (premier equestrian event in the Amsterdam RAI) has selected Only Friends and the FSC as its designated charity for 2024, following previous years of support.
• Stichting SAM / The Dolphin Swim ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2022Stichting SAM and The Dolphin Swim Club partner with the FSC to offer virtual dolphin swimming therapy sessions (8 sessions) for children with autism, Down syndrome, or related disorders. The therapy combines relaxation, play, education, and fun.
• Verdi Koffie GroepminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2020The FSC collaborated with Verdi Koffie Groep to develop a special artisan coffee blend. Sold at €19.95 per 1kg bag (in 4-packs), with free home delivery. Each purchase supports FSC athletes. The coffee features notes of clove, star anise, subtle bitterness, and caramel.
• Mentelity FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2019At the 2019 Benefit Night, Bibian Mentel announced that her Mentelity Foundation would enter a special partnership with the FSC and prothesist Frank Jol. From January 2020, people could 'borrow' a foot from the 'foot library' (voetotheek) — a unique lending service for prosthetic feet.
• Zigzag (Zorg voor Friends)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2018From April 2018, Zigzag provides 'Zorg voor Friends' — professionally supervised activities and care for children and young people with disabilities, bridging the time between school and sport at the FSC. The agreement was signed between Zigzag director Petra de Jong and FSC director Etienne Spee, in the presence of Dennis Gebbink.
• IBC (International Media Exhibition)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2017IBC, the world's largest media trade fair (50th anniversary in 2017), organized a charity football match at the FSC against Lucky Ajax, with proceeds going to the FSC and the Edwin van der Sar Foundation.
• OIM AktiefcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2017OIM Aktief opened a specialized orthotics and prosthetics outlet at the FSC on 1 September 2017. Founded by Frank Jol, it serves clients who want an active lifestyle despite disability, offering coaching and support for a high-active life. It represents a unique on-site healthcare service within the sports centre.
• Ajax Foundation (G-Dag)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 May 2017The Ajax Foundation organizes the annual G-Dag at the FSC, where Ajax 1, Ajax Women, and Jong Ajax players spend an afternoon with Only Friends members. The 2017 edition featured 600 participants with players including Davy Klaassen, Bertrand Traoré, and Lasse Schöne. John Heitinga served as ambassador. This annual event generates significant media coverage.
• Goois Jazz FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 February 2017The Goois Jazz Festival in Bussum donated its proceeds to the FSC. The 2017 edition featured Candy Dulfer, Peter Beets with the Concertgebouw Jazz Orchestra, and Junior Jazz Unlimited Big Band.
• Ajax / Ajax FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2016On 21 December 2016, Ajax and Only Friends signed a multi-year partnership agreement at the Friendship Sports Centre. From the 2017-2018 season, Only Friends football teams play in official Ajax kits with the Only Friends logo on the sleeve. Edwin van der Sar (Ajax CEO) and Dennis Gebbink (Only Friends founder) signed the contract. Partners ABN-AMRO and Adidas were closely involved in the partnership's realization. The agreement also includes activation possibilities for Only Friends.
• ABN-AMRO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2016The ABN-AMRO Foundation partnership with FSC was expanded and officially signed at the 2016 Benefit Night. ABN-AMRO employees volunteer at the centre. Wendy Kattouw, project leader of the ABN-AMRO Foundation, stated 'We want to give more back to society.' The partnership connects corporate volunteering with the centre's mission.
• Riki StichtingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2016The Riki Stichting organizes regular visits for elderly people to the FSC for sport activities and social events. Since August 2016, groups from care homes and Zonnebloem branches come to the centre for swimming, football, jeu de boules, fitness, and a shared lunch or dinner prepared by the FSC chef. The partnership addresses loneliness among seniors.
• Vincent Janssen (Ambassador)minorOthers · 18 May 2016Vincent Janssen, then AZ striker and Eredivisie top scorer, signed as ambassador for Only Friends on 18 May 2016. He followed in the footsteps of Marco van Basten as Only Friends ambassador. He stated his commitment to the cause after playing football with Only Friends children. He also donated a football clinic for the Benefit Night auction.
• Stichting MarktstadrunminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 May 2016The Marktstadrun and MarktstadWalk in Purmerend selected Only Friends as their charity beneficiary for 2016 and subsequent years. The 2015 edition raised €5,000 for sports and play equipment for Only Friends.
• Stichting Wandelcomité BuikslootminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 March 2016The Stichting Wandelcomité Buiksloot signed a friendship treaty with the FSC in 2016. The Avondvierdaagse Buiksloot and Avondvierdaagse Oostzaan donate €1 per registration to the FSC, and the Herdenkingstocht Watersnood 1916 donates €2 per registration.
• VUmc (Amsterdam UMC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2016VUmc partnered with Only Friends and the FSC to organize a racerunning workshop on 2 April 2016. Scottish experts Peter Drysdale and Janice Eaglesham trained rehabilitation doctors, physiotherapists, and podotherapists from across the Netherlands on racerunning (a tricycle for children who cannot walk).

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Uniek Sporten: Dutch national platform helping people with disabilities find suitable sports near them. Comparable as it addresses the same "no accessible sports club available" pain point that FSC solves, though as a marketplace/matchmaker rather than facility operator.
• Fonds Gehandicaptensport: A Dutch charitable fund supporting disability sports through grants and partnerships with KNVB and ING (already a documented FSC partner). Direct peer operating in the same disability-sports-funding ecosystem in the Netherlands.
• Gehandicaptensport Nederland: The Dutch national umbrella organization for disability sports, coordinating federations and adaptive sports programmes across the Netherlands. Directly comparable to FSC as it operates in the same adapted-sports-for-people-with-disabilities niche at a national coordinating level, while FSC executes at the facility/programme delivery level.
• Special Olympics Netherlands: Part of the global Special Olympics movement providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a direct peer offering organized adaptive sports programming for the disability community in the Netherlands.

Broad incumbents

• Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA): National US community-based adaptive sports organization providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports. Comparable as a multi-sport adaptive sports organization offering year-round programming across many disciplines.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Netherlands: Global foundation using sport to combat social issues, with Dutch operations funding sport-for-development programmes. Comparable as a high-profile sport-for-good charity with corporate sponsorships, donor galas, and ambassador networks similar to FSC's Benefit Night model.

Emerging players

• Krajicek Foundation: Dutch foundation building sports facilities (Krajicek Courts) in underprivileged neighborhoods to give children access to sport. Comparable sports-for-social-impact charity with a similar facility-development and corporate-partnership model in the Netherlands.
• Johan Cruyff Foundation: Dutch foundation creating Cruyff Courts in underserved neighborhoods to enable children to play sports. Comparable as a sports-for-social-impact charity operating in the Netherlands; FSC's Cruyff Court Hakim Ziyech represents a direct overlap.

Others

• Sport en Bewegen (NL): Dutch national knowledge/infrastructure organization promoting sport and physical activity across the population. Adjacent ecosystem participant: not a direct peer, but relevant as a sector-level body whose policies and funding initiatives shape FSC's operating environment.

Regional players

• WheelPower (UK): UK charity introducing disabled people to wheelchair sports and supporting participation across multiple disciplines. Comparable as a multi-sport adaptive sports charity delivering programming and facility-based activities in a different national geography.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@friendshipsportscentre6783
• Facebookfacebook.com/FriendshipSC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friendship-sports-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendshipsportscentre
• Xx.com/friendsportsc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 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 Friendship Sports Centre