Den Helder SUNS

What Den Helder SUNS does

Den Helder SUNS is a privately operated professional basketball club based in Den Helder, Netherlands, formed in 2016 (firmographics) and unified under the SUNS brand in 2021-2022 through the merger of the city's men's and women's top basketball programs. The club fields two elite teams: SUNS Heren, which competes in the BNXT League (the cross-border Dutch-Belgian professional league) and is scheduled for the NBB Promotiedivisie in 2026-2027; and SUNS Dames, which competes in the Dutch Women's Basketball League (WBL) and holds 15 national championships, 6 cup wins, and 7 final four titles, including the 2020-2021 national championship. The women's team finished 4th in the WBL in 2025-2026 (19-8 record) and the men's team 13th in the BNXT (15-19). Home games are played at Sporthal Quelderduyn, with matches livestreamed to an average audience of 1,000 viewers and finals reaching nearly 3,000.

The club operates two community-facing programs: SUNS Assist, a clinic and outreach initiative built in collaboration with the Municipality of Den Helder, JOGG, Sportservice, Parlan, Vinkebrug, and MEE & de Wering, deploying coaches and players for youth and social engagement; and BV Noordkop / SUNS Jeugd, a youth development pipeline with U12, U14, U16, U18, G-team, and Walking Basketball 55+ programs, plus a Promotiedivisie men's second team. Revenue is generated through three streams: matchday sales (€7.50 per adult ticket, free for children 15 and under), season tickets (€75 including a Spalding T-shirt) sold via weticket.io, and a tiered sponsorship structure (Main Partners, Diamond Partners, Gold Partners, Business Members, Exposure Partners, Maatschappelijke Partners) anchored by regional businesses including Compofloor, Compri Aluminium, McDonald's Den Helder, VTC Offerman, Verheul-Alpina, Gorter Luiken, Rabobank, and the Koninklijke Marine. Operations are heavily volunteer-dependent for scoreboard, 24-second clock, digital match forms, set-up, transportation, and ticketing. The club is led by foundation board chairman Jan Dop, women's section chairman Mark Lutterman, secretary Geert Buurman, and commercial team member Justin Abell.

Name

Den Helder SUNS

Legal name

Den Helder SUNS

Website

https://denheldersuns.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Den Helder SUNS is a private Dutch basketball club operating men's and women's professional teams in the BNXT League and WBL, serving regional fans and sponsors through ticket sales, livestream, and tiered sponsorship partnerships from Den Helder.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Basketball Club

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Other Spectator Sports (711219), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Basketball Leagues (MPAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Team & Club Coaching (seasonal team coaching) (HSADAEAF)

Keywords

• Professional basketball teams
• Basketball league operations
• Youth basketball development
• Community sports programs
• Sports sponsorship partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Den Helder

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Match Revenue: Revenue from individual match tickets (€7.50 per match for adults 16+, free for children 15 and under) and season tickets (€75 including Spalding T-shirt)
2. Sponsorship & Partnerships: Multiple partnership tiers including Main Partners, Diamond Partners, Gold Partners, Business Members, Exposure Partners, and Maatschappelijke Partners providing financial support in exchange for branding exposure
3. Broadcasting Rights: Livestream viewership averaging 1,000 viewers per match provides advertising and sponsorship exposure value

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Den Helder SUNS is a professional basketball organization that fields men's and women's teams competing in the BNXT League (men) and Women's Basketball League (women), plays home games at Sporthal Quelderduyn, and generates revenue through match tickets, season tickets, livestream broadcasting, and a tiered corporate sponsorship program. The club also operates a youth basketball program via BV Noordkop (U12-U18) and a community outreach initiative called SUNS Assist that deploys coaches and players to schools and social organizations in the Noordkop region.

Product overview

Den Helder SUNS is a professional basketball organization operating two elite teams: the Men's team competing in the BNXT League and the Women's team competing in the WBL. The organization also runs SUNS Assist, a community outreach program featuring basketball clinics, and manages youth development through its BV Noordkop affiliation. The club operates primarily from Sportcentrum Quelderduyn in Den Helder, Netherlands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SUNS ASSIST: Social program focusing on sports and movement at all levels, from recreational to elite, with clinic programs and community engagement initiatives.
• Suns Care

Products and services

• SUNS Heren (Men's Basketball Team) Men's professional basketball team competing in the BNXT League (Belgian-Dutch professional basketball league), representing Den Helder at the highest level of Dutch/Belgian professional basketball. Home games are played at Sporthal Quelderduyn.
• SUNS Dames (Women's Basketball Team) Women's professional basketball team competing in the Women's Basketball League (WBL). The team holds 15 Dutch national championships, 6 cup wins, and 7 Final Four victories, including the 2020-2021 national championship.
• SUNS Assist (Community Outreach Program) Social responsibility and community outreach program that deploys SUNS coaches and players to schools and community organizations to deliver basketball clinics, promote healthier lifestyles, foster social bonding, and enhance the image of Den Helder. Developed in collaboration with municipality, JOGG, Sportservice, Parlan, Vinkebrug, and MEE & de Wering.
• SUNS Jeugd / BV Noordkop (Youth Basketball Program) Youth basketball development program affiliated with Den Helder SUNS, operating teams across multiple age categories (U12, U14, U16, U18) plus G-team and Walking Basketball 55+. SUNS youth teams compete under the BV Noordkop banner, including the Promotiedivisie team BV Noordkop/SUNS 2.
• Season Tickets (Seizoenkaart) Annual subscription providing access to all home matches for the season including BNXT League (men's) or WBL (women's) regular season, cup competitions, and play-off games. Includes a complimentary SUNS Spalding T-shirt. Championship games are excluded. Priced at €75 per season.
• Individual Match Tickets Single-match tickets for individual home games at Sporthal Quelderduyn. Priced at €7.50 per match for adults aged 16 and over, with free admission for children aged 15 and under.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15 Dutch national championships and 2020-2021 championship for women's team
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Cell HydrationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025Supplier of Kangen Water for team hydration. Independent distributor of Enagic water ionization systems. Partnership from preparation season 2025-2026.
• Compri AluminiumcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2025Kit/tenue (uniform) partner with branding on player shorts. International aluminum solutions specialist. Family business with regional roots.
• Business Space BelgiumminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2025Belgian company managing office space tenant interests in Belgium and Luxembourg. Partnership effective April 1, 2025. Representative Daniel Coltof is long-time SUNS fan.
• CompofloorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain partner with company name on SUNS playing uniform starting 2025-2026 season. Regional composite flooring company from Wieringerwerf. Two-year partnership agreement.
• McDonald's Den HeldermajorGTM or Marketing Partner3-year partnership agreement signed by franchisee Melvin Pach. Seven McDonald's Pach restaurants in Alkmaar, Den Helder, Heerhugowaard and Schagen serve nearly 100,000 guests weekly.
• VTC OffermanmajorGTM or Marketing Partner3-year partnership for team transportation services. Helderse family transport company providing bus services for away games and school projects.
• Verheul-AlpinamajorGTM or Marketing Partner3-year partnership with insurance and financial advisory company. Part of Alpina, largest independent insurance intermediary in Netherlands and Belgium with 30+ offices.
• Gorter LuikenmajorGTM or Marketing Partner3-year partnership with roof hatch market leader based in Schagen. Sales and production facility in Schagen, office in Oudenaarde, Belgium.
• Domino's Pizza Den HelderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPizza delivery chain partnership with three locations in Noordkop region including two in Den Helder municipality and one in Schagen.
• Foxhill FoodsminorGTM or Marketing Partner2-year partnership with US-based sports nutrition company producing GAME TIME marinara sauce. Founder Brett Harper was a player for Den Helder in 2001-2002.
• Oleahof UitvaartzorgmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-time partner from the start of SUNS basketball. Family funeral home with roots going back to 1980s era of eredivisie basketball.
• Guldemond Juridisch AdviesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner providing legal advisory services. Founder Dennis Guldemond is former youth basketball player and season ticket holder.
• Justin Abell - Commercial ManagercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommercial team member with 10 years experience in Eredivisie football, responsible for expanding partner network. Contact: [email protected]
• Get Fit LijfstijlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDen Helder-based health and sports company promoting fitness and healthy lifestyle. Owner Lorain Bakker is former basketball player.
• De Vishal 't SpoortjeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFresh fish family business in Den Helder, expanded from fish to smoked, fried fish and herring plus meals. Owner Dennis Pen and family.
• Tellus ZorggroepminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare group partnership with women's team; Tellus and SUNS extended their collaboration
• DOZY BVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for women's basketball team; joint mix tournament organized with BV Noordkop/SUNS and DOZY BV
• RabobankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership announced for women's team collaboration
• AH SchootenplazaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupermarket partner for women's basketball team; signed new agreement
• Gemeente Den HeldermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipality partnership through Maatschappelijke Partners tier. SUNS Assist program developed in collaboration with municipality, JOGG, Sportservice, Parlan, Vinkebrug and MEE & de Wering.
• BV NoordkopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth basketball club affiliated with SUNS. SUNS youth teams compete under BV Noordkop banner. Long-standing collaboration including Promotiedivisie team Zeemacht/BV Noordkop.
• Koninklijke MarinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal Netherlands Navy partnership for new collaboration; connection to local maritime community
• SportservicemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal sports service partner for SUNS Assist community programs and youth development

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Donar Groningen: One of the most prominent Dutch basketball clubs competing in the BNXT League, with a similar mix of professional play, sponsor partnerships, and youth academy structure in a regional Dutch city.
• Heroes Den Bosch: Dutch professional basketball club in the BNXT League with a comparable dual emphasis on men's professional play, youth development, and regional sponsorship — directly competitive with Den Helder SUNS in the Dutch basketball market.
• Antwerp Giants: Top Belgian basketball club in the BNXT League, providing the cross-border peer comparison relevant to SUNS' Belgian-Dutch league participation and Belgian sponsor outreach (e.g., Compri Aluminium, Business Space Belgium).
• Landstede Hammers: Dutch professional basketball club also playing in the BNXT League with comparable league structure, sponsorship tiers, and emphasis on youth-to-professional player development through affiliated academies.
• BC Oostende: Belgian professional basketball club in the BNXT League, sharing the cross-border league structure, sponsorship-driven model, and professional men's basketball operations relevant to SUNS' league context.
• Yoast United: Dutch BNXT League club, one of the historically referenced former clubs of SUNS head coach Paul Vervaeck — directly comparable as a Dutch professional basketball organization of similar scale.
• ZZ Leiden: Historic Dutch basketball club competing in the BNXT League with a similarly storied championship pedigree and a comparable model of professional men's basketball supported by community and sponsor networks.
• Spirou Charleroi: Historic Belgian basketball club competing in the BNXT League, comparable on professional men's basketball operations, multi-tier sponsorship structures, and licensed league participation.

Regional players

• Grasshoppers Basketball: Top-finishing WBL club (2024-2025 season, 25-2 record) competing in the same Dutch Women's Basketball League as SUNS Dames — directly comparable on women's team competition, league standing, and WBL-level sponsorship model.

Emerging players

• BV Noordkop / SUNS Jeugd: Affiliated youth basketball club (U12-U18) operating under the SUNS umbrella; functions as the talent pipeline and lower-league (Promotiedivisie) feeder — included as an internal-affiliated peer reflecting SUNS' own multi-tier structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGlzzCyb7aDb7zFUmjkFztg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/denheldersuns
• Instagraminstagram.com/denheldersuns
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/den-helder-suns-basketball

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Den Helder SUNS