WS Twente

What WS Twente does

WS Twente is a Dutch member-based sports association (vereniging) founded on July 2, 1922, headquartered in Borne, Netherlands, and operating swimming and water polo programs across three facilities in the Twente region: 't Wooldrik in Borne, Twentebad in Hengelo (the only 50m sportbad in Overijssel province), and a pool in Enschede. The club serves four primary member segments: AquaMania (children aged 5–12 holding A and B diplomas), Selectiezwemmen (competitive swimmers organized into TrainTechniek, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Selection), Masters (adults 18+, the largest such department in the Netherlands), and Waterpolo (youth and senior teams). It is an official member of the KNZB (Royal Dutch Swimming Federation), enabling participation in regional and national competition circuits and licensing start permits to competitive swimmers.

The business model is a recurring subscription-based membership association. Revenue is generated through monthly membership dues (ranging from €20.25 for student arrangements to €42.00 for combined AquaMania/parent swimming, with a €22.75/year non-active tier), a €11.50/month Twentebad Family Card for recreational access, KNZB competition license fees (€68.40/year for adult competitive swimmers, €0 for youth 2015 and younger as sponsored by the club), sponsorship revenue managed through Stichting Sponsorzaken WS Twente (board advertising, clothing sponsorship, Club van 100 patrons), and Sponsorkliks affiliate commissions. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth, local presence at municipal pools, a website with online registration, and active social media channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn).

The organization is led by volunteer boards, including Chairman Hans Westerhof and a five-person Stichting Sponsorzaken board, with no external investors, no funding rounds, and no parent company. WS Twente is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile sports associations in the Netherlands, a top-10 national swimming club, and was awarded KNZB's Most Entrepreneurial Association in 2015 for its social entrepreneurship model, including the lifeguard-volunteer concept and public-private cooperation with Gemeente Hengelo on the Twentebad renovation. The technology footprint is minimal: a standard club website, social profiles, and basic affiliate integrations, with no proprietary technology, software products, or AI capabilities.

Name

WS Twente

Legal name

WS Twente

Website

https://wstwente.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

WS Twente is a Dutch member-based swimming and water polo association founded in 1922, serving youth, competitive swimmers, masters adults, and water polo players across three Twente-region facilities. Revenue comes from monthly membership dues, sponsorships managed through a dedicated foundation, and KNZB competition licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Swimming and Water Polo Sports Club

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

Keywords

• Swimming club
• Water polo club
• Swimming training
• Aquatic sports
• Youth swimming

Headquarters

HQ city

Borne

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Monthly and annual membership fees from club members across AquaMania (youth), Selectiezwemmen (competitive swimming), Masters (adult swimmers), and Waterpolo programs. Fees vary by program and age group.
2. Sponsorship Revenue: Financial contributions from sponsors including board advertising, clothing sponsorship, Club van 100 (patron members), and other sponsorship arrangements managed through Stichting Sponsorzaken WS Twente.
3. Competition License Fees: KNZB start permits and day-start permits charged to members participating in competitive swimming events. These fees are collected on behalf of the national swimming federation.
4. Family Card Subscription: Monthly subscription for family card (€11.50/month) providing unlimited access to recreational swimming at Twentebad for all family members.
5. Sponsorkliks Commission: Commission revenue from Sponsorkliks online shopping platform where club supporters shop at partner retailers and WS Twente receives a percentage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

WS Twente is a Dutch water sports association offering swimming and water polo training and competition programs across three main divisions: AquaMania (children aged 5-12 with A/B diplomas), Masters (adults 18+), and Selectiezwemmen (competitive swimming with multiple selection levels). The club also runs water polo teams and provides recreational swimming access via a Family Card for Twentebad, operating from pools in Borne, Hengelo, and Enschede.

Product overview

WS Twente is a multi-faceted water sports club offering swimming and water polo activities across three main divisions: AquaMania (children's swimming program ages 5-12), Masters Swimming (adults 18+), and Selectiezwemmen (competitive swimming with multiple selection levels). The club also provides Waterpolo as a team sport. Additional offerings include sponsorship packages for businesses and a family card for recreational swimming access at Twentebad. The organization facilitates swimming training at multiple locations (Borne and Hengelo) and competes at regional and national levels through KNZB membership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AquaMania: Swimming program for children aged 5-10 who have earned their A and B diplomas, focusing on developing swimming and water polo skills through play.
• Masters
• Selectiezwemmen

Products and services

• AquaMania Swimming and water polo introduction program for children aged 5-12 who have obtained their A and B swimming diplomas, developing swimming and water polo skills through play-based activities.
• Masters Swimming Swimming program for adults 18 years and older covering both recreational swimming and competitive masters swimming, with opportunities to compete at regional, national, European, and world championship levels.
• Selectiezwemmen (Competitive Swimming) Performance-oriented competitive swimming program with multiple selection levels (TrainTechniek, 3rd Selection, 2nd Selection, and 1st Selection) providing structured training for technique, fitness, and competition results, up to 8 sessions per week for first selection swimmers.
• Waterpolo Team water sport combining elements of swimming, handball, and rugby, played with seven players, requiring teamwork, strength, technique, insight, and endurance. Includes youth and senior teams competing in regional competitions.
• Gezinskaart (Family Card) Monthly subscription family card (€11.50/month) providing unlimited access to recreational swimming at Twentebad for all family members at designated hours.
• Sponsorship Packages Various sponsorship options for businesses including board advertising at 50m and 25m pools, flag lines, clothing sponsorship, website visibility, and Club van 100 patron membership program.
• KNZB Start Permits Administration Administration of KNZB (Royal Dutch Swimming Federation) annual start permits and day-start permits required for members participating in competitive swimming events.

Quantifiable outcome

• LAC (Long Distance Circuit) Title winners - 2015
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Hengelose Sportduikers (Hengelo Scuba Divers)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership offering diving education to WS Twente members aged 16+. Members can obtain a 1-star CMAS diving certification (€200) with club equipment. The partnership also includes a snorkel program for younger AquaMania members. After certification, members are not obligated to join the diving club.
• KNZB (Royal Dutch Swimming Federation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1922KNZB is the national swimming federation of the Netherlands. WS Twente is an official member association, which provides competition organization, licensing (start permits), training standards, and access to national-level competitions. The partnership ensures quality standards across all club activities and provides pathways for swimmers to compete at regional and national levels.
• Gemeente Hengelo (Municipality of Hengelo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the municipality for the development and operation of the 50m sportbad at Twentebad. The municipality invested in the renovation and overkapping (covering) of the 50m pool, with WS Twente as a key user and co-developer of the facility. This public-private cooperation is recognized as a model by the KNZB.
• TwentebadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 50m sportbad at Twentebad is the only 50m pool in Overijssel province. WS Twente uses this facility as its primary training location for competitive swimming and hosts national-level competitions here. The relationship between Twentebad and WS Twente is cited as a model for swimming federation cooperation.
• LACOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLACO manages the 't Wooldrik swimming pool in Borne on behalf of the municipality. WS Twente has a rental agreement for pool access. During COVID lockdowns, WS Twente and LACO jointly applied for compensation for pool rental costs from the TVS (Tenant Compensation Scheme).
• Stichting Sponsorzaken WS TwentecoreOthersInternal foundation that coordinates and initiates all sponsor activities for WS Twente. Board members include Raymond Thijert (Chair), Rian Thijert (Secretary), Monique van der Struik (Treasurer), Ewoud Rupert (Board Advertising), and Kim Brokelman (House Style). Contact: [email protected]
• de Koning schilders (de Koning Schilders)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPainting company from Hengelo established in 1906. Specializes in residential and commercial painting, new construction, maintenance and renovations. Sponsors WS Twente with logo visibility.
• EijsinkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital process solutions provider. Develops software for point-of-sale systems, staff scheduling, bar/kitchen management, table reservations, and order sites. Serves hospitality, catering, leisure, and healthcare sectors.
• Dit ZwemtminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWebshop for competitive swimwear, zoomers, and related swimming accessories from Zaosu. Products designed in Germany and produced in China and Italy with German quality control.
• Intersport TwinsportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSports retailer in Hengelo with 4000m2 of shopping space. Carries top brands for football, tennis, running, fitness, walking, swimming, winter sports, indoor, and hockey. Sponsors WS Twente club clothing and hosts clothing fitting events.
• de bakker aan huisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArtisan bakery providing quality bread at competitive prices through efficient systems. Supports WS Twente as a sponsor.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ZPC Hoogeveen: Hoogeveen-based competitive swimming club in the KNZB system. Comparable to WS Twente as a Dutch regional swimming association offering competitive selection training and masters programs at regional and national levels.
• De Dolfijn: Amsterdam-based swimming and water polo club offering competitive, recreational, and masters programs under KNZB affiliation. Comparable to WS Twente as a top-tier Dutch multi-discipline aquatics club with a wide age-range member base.
• De Robben: Dutch swimming club offering competitive and recreational aquatic programs under KNZB. Comparable to WS Twente as a regional Dutch aquatics association with structured training pathways for competitive and masters swimmers.
• PSV Zwemmen: Swimming and water polo department of PSV Eindhoven, a major Dutch multi-sport association. Comparable to WS Twente as a KNZB-affiliated competitive swimming club with selection tiers, water polo, and youth development programs in a Dutch region.
• MNC Dordrecht: Dordrecht-based Dutch swimming and water polo association. Comparable to WS Twente as a KNZB-affiliated multi-program aquatics club serving a single Dutch region with competitive selection, masters, and youth offerings.
• ZPC Amersfoort: Amersfoort-based Dutch competitive swimming and water polo club affiliated with the KNZB. Directly comparable to WS Twente as a multi-program aquatic association (youth, competitive, masters, water polo) operating pools in a single Dutch city/region.
• Aqua-Novio'94: Nijmegen-based swimming club with competitive selection, water polo, and recreational programs. Comparable to WS Twente as a Dutch regional aquatics club offering a similar multi-program member structure under KNZB.
• ZV De Zaan: Zaanstreek-based swimming club with competitive, recreational, and water polo programs under KNZB. Comparable to WS Twente as a Dutch community aquatics association providing multi-tier youth-to-elite swimming pathways and water polo.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wstwente
• Facebookfacebook.com/WsTwente
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ws-twente

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 WS Twente