U.S.S.V. Softijs

What U.S.S.V. Softijs does

U.S.S.V. Softijs (Utrechtse Studenten Schaats Vereniging) is a Dutch student speed skating association founded on December 1, 1986, in Utrecht, Netherlands. It originated from the Utrechtse Studenten Schaats Federatie (USSF) as a response to government and university budget cuts on student sports. The association serves approximately 200 members — primarily Utrecht students ranging from complete beginners to competitive student-level speed skaters — and operates as a non-profit membership association (vereniging) run by annually elected student boards, currently in its 40th term under chair Maite Postuma.

The association offers two membership tiers: Full Membership (€23 annual contribution plus a €175 Olympos Sportcard/Olympass for facility access) and Summer Membership (€23, dry-land activities only). Core programming includes weekly Wednesday-evening ice training at the Vechtsebanen ice rink, summer shorttrack/inline skating/cycling/running/strength training, competitive race participation (NSK Afstanden, Club Championships, NSSU Zomercup), domestic and international camps (including BUK in Sweden), and an active social calendar anchored by monthly drinks at Café 't Pandje and committee-driven events. Sponsorship from the TxMiller Foundation funds transplant-patient-related initiatives and select clinics with professional athletes.

Revenue is derived almost exclusively from member contributions, Sportcard pass-through to partner Olympos, modest activity fees, and sponsor contributions. The association has no parent company, no external institutional investment, and is governed entirely through member assemblies and elected boards. Distribution is direct via website registration and university network referrals, with promotional activity on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Name

U.S.S.V. Softijs

Legal name

U.S.S.V. Softijs (Utrechtse Studenten Schaats Vereniging)

Website

https://ussvsoftijs.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

U.S.S.V. Softijs is a Utrecht-based non-profit student speed skating association founded in 1986, serving approximately 200 members with year-round ice and dry-land training, competitions, camps, and social programming, funded by membership fees and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Sports Association / Speed Skating Club

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Individual-Sport Clubs & Teams (Cycling Teams, Athletics/Track Clubs, Swimming Clubs, etc.) (MPAKABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Student sports association
• Speed skating training
• Amateur athletic club
• Winter sports training
• Recreational skating programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht, Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees provide primary revenue. Full membership includes access to all winter and summer training sessions, social activities, competitions, and license membership. Summer membership provides access to summer training sessions only.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

U.S.S.V. Softijs (Utrechtse Studenten Schaats Vereniging) is a student speed skating association based in Utrecht, Netherlands, providing year-round athletic training in long-track speed skating, shorttrack, inline skating, cycling, and running, alongside organized competitions, multi-day camps, and an active social calendar. The association sells annual memberships (Full and Summer tiers) that grant access to coached training sessions at the Vechtsebanen ice rink and Olympos sporting centre, competition entry, and member-only events for approximately 200 student members.

Product overview

U.S.S.V. Softijs is a Utrecht-based student ice skating association offering a comprehensive membership program with dual offerings: Full Membership and Summer Membership. The association provides year-round sports training spanning multiple disciplines including winter speed skating at Vechtsebanen, summer shorttrack, inline skating, cycling, and running, along with dryland training sessions. Beyond athletics, the membership includes access to competitive racing programs (NSK, Club Championships, NSSU competitions), organized camps (domestic and international), and an active social calendar featuring weekly drinks, parties, and committee-organized events. The club serves approximately 200 student members with training options for all skill levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full Membership Annual membership providing full access to all winter and summer training sessions (speed skating, shorttrack, inline skating, cycling, running, strength/technique), social activities, competitions (NSK, club championships), and license membership for Utrecht students and non-students.
• Summer Membership Seasonal annual membership offering access to summer dry-land training sessions (running, cycling, inline skating, strength/technique) and social activities, excluding winter ice training.
• Winter Speed Skating Training Coached long-track speed skating sessions held every Wednesday evening at Vechtsebanen ice rink, plus Monday evening dryland training, offered to all skill levels from beginner to competitive.
• Summer Training Programs Off-season coached training covering shorttrack, inline skating, cycling, running, and strength/technique sessions held multiple times per week as part of the yearly training cycle.
• Competition Programs Organized competitive events including the TxMiller NSK Afstanden, Club Championships, NSSU Zomercup, Adelskalender, Sergey Bubka Award, and Rookiebokaal for member skaters.
• Camps and Excursions Multi-day association trips including Introductiekamp, Binnenlandkamp (domestic), Buitenlandkamp (international), Skeelerkamp, WheELS cycling weekend, and BUK (Sweden skating camp) for members.
• Social Activities Program Member social calendar including monthly borrels at Café 't Pandje, parties, themed events, and committee-led activities that build the student community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately €6,285 raised for charity (KiKa) by team participation in 24KiKa event

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OlymposcoreOthersUtrecht University sports centre where training sessions are conducted. Members purchase Sportcard/Olympass for facility access.
• FysiofabriekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysiotherapy partner providing sports-related services.
• Jan van der HoornminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor providing sharpening courses for skating equipment.
• DuosportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports equipment partner.
• Café 't PandjeminorOthersStamkroeg (regular bar) where monthly borrels are held on the first Thursday of each month.
• DressMe ClothingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClothing merchandise partner.
• Studentensteden UtrechtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner for student housing and student city promotions.
• KnaekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for student activity promotions.
• D.S.S.V. ELScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEffe Lekker Actief (ELA) commission of sister skating association ELS organizes WheELS cycling weekend together with Softijs. Collaborative participation in competitions and training camps including BUK (Buitenlandkamp Zweden).
• SanquinminorOthersBlood donation organization. Softijs organizes blood donation campaigns.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NSSU (Nederlandse Studenten Sport Unie): The umbrella organization for Dutch student sports, hosting the NSK competitions Softijs competes in. Comparable as the governing layer above student sports clubs in the Netherlands, though at a federation rather than club level.
• Koninklijke Nederlandsche Schaatsenrijders Bond (KNSB): The Dutch national skating federation that governs competitive speed skating in the Netherlands. Softijs members compete under KNSB rules; relevant as the broader governing body connecting student clubs to the national sport.
• USC Utrecht (University Sports Centre): Utrecht University's central sports facility operator (operator of Olympos, where Softijs summer training occurs). Comparable as the umbrella sports-services provider that individual student associations like Softijs plug into for facility access.
• Olympos Sportcentrum: Utrecht University's sports centre where Softijs summer training sessions are held. Comparable as a facility-and-programming partner operating in the same student-athlete market, though at a much larger scale.

Direct peers

• D.S.S.V. ELS: Delftse Studenten Schaats Vereniging ELS, a sister Dutch student speed skating association that co-organizes the WheELS cycling weekend and collaborates with Softijs on international training camps. Directly comparable in mission, membership model, and sport focus.
• Studentenwielerstichting Utrecht: A Utrecht-based student cycling club that shares the Softijs training facility and membership demographic. Comparable as a student endurance-sport association in the same city, though focused on cycling.
• Studenten IJsselmeer Zwemvereniging: A Dutch student endurance-sport club (swimming) operating on a similar vereniging-with-membership-fees model with social and competitive programming. Comparable in structure, though different sport.
• Utrechtse Studentenroeivereniging Orca: Another Utrecht-based student sports club operating as a vereniging with subscription membership, training programs, and committee-driven social activities. Comparable in organizational model and target audience, though in a different sport (rowing).

Regional players

• Groninger Studenten Schaats Vereniging (GSSV): A Groningen-based student speed skating association operating in the same vereniging model with subscription memberships and competitive programs. Comparable as a regional peer in the same niche sport, but serving a different Dutch university city.
• Amsterdamse Studenten Schaats Vereniging (ASSV): A student speed skating association in Amsterdam following the same subscription-based vereniging model as Softijs. Comparable as a regional peer in the same niche sport, but serving a different city.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ussv-softijs
• Instagraminstagram.com/ussv_softijs
• TikToktiktok.com/@ussv_softijs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 U.S.S.V. Softijs