Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw

What Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw does

Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw (VSF) is a Belgian non-profit (vereniging zonder winstoogmerk) umbrella organization headquartered in Gent that serves as the collective representative and primary support body for 71 member sports federations and approximately 18,500 affiliated sports clubs in Flanders, covering an estimated 1.4 million athletes. Its mandate comprises three pillars: (1) representing clubs and federations with political leadership toward the Flemish government and Sport Vlaanderen; (2) being the principal supporter of sports federations through training, coaching, and shared services; and (3) being a partner in supporting sports clubs, primarily through the 71 federations but also via municipal sport services (Sportdiensten).

VSF's core product is a knowledge-and-services platform. The "Kennisbank" (Knowledge Bank) is an online repository of Q&As, model documents, brochures, and how-to guides covering finance, GDPR, volunteer management, pricing strategy, and good governance. The "Bijscholingen & Begeleiding" program delivers fee-based training sessions (€20/member, €50/non-member), webinars, and personalized coaching delivered via email (€100), video call (€125), at VSF offices (€125), or on-site at clubs (€180 plus mileage). The organization also operates an e-commerce shop (shop.vlaamsesportfederatie.be) for event registration, integrated with MultiSafepay online payments (negotiated up to 40% off standard transaction fees) and learning tools built on the Totara platform. Partnership products extend the offering: Assist online accounting and membership management software with integrated VAT/Intervat submission; Cranium-backed DPO-as-a-Service; Responsum phishing training; Sportieq freelance Integrity Contact Persons (API); and an Erasmus+ exchange program.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of recurring and transactional streams: annual membership fees (€440.09 in 2026, indexed), training and coaching fees, paid events (e.g., the annual Dag van de Sportclubbestuurder at €50–€105), physical brochure sales (€15–€50), and a growing set of subscription services such as DPO-as-a-Service (€1,645–€2,468/year from year two). Pricing is anchored on a clear member/non-member tiering, with non-members typically paying 2–5x member rates for the same services. GTM is sales-led and field-based: VSF relies on direct federation visits, sport-service-channel outreach, in-person training delivery, and a multi-channel content engine (newsletter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). The organization has 21 employees and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw

Legal name

Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw

Website

https://vlaamsesportfederatie.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw is a Belgian non-profit umbrella organization supporting 71 member sports federations and ~18,500 affiliated clubs in Flanders through training, coaching, a knowledge bank, and policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Federation Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Compliance, Governance & Integrity Services (Safeguarding, Anti-Doping, Match Integrity) (MPAKAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

Keywords

• Sports federation support
• Sport club management
• Non-profit umbrella organization
• Training and coaching services
• Volunteer and governance advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Gent

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from sports federations. The membership contribution is indexed annually and amounts to €440.09 in 2026. Sports federations and organizations for sporty leisure can become members. Individual sports clubs cannot become direct members but benefit from services through their federation membership.
2. Training & Education Services: Revenue from training sessions (bijscholingen), info sessions, and coaching/guidance services delivered to sports clubs, federations, and sport services. Fees vary: €20 per training for members, €50 for non-members; coaching sessions at €75–180 depending on format; federation guidance at €121/hour.
3. Publications & Documents: Sale of brochures and documents (physical copies) to non-members at €15–50 per item. Digital access to brochures, tools, and documents is free for member clubs and federations.
4. Events & Conferences: Revenue from events such as the annual Dag van de Sportclubbestuurder (Club Manager Day), with fees of €50–105 depending on membership status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw is the umbrella organization for 71 sports federations and around 18,500 sports clubs in Flanders, Belgium. It offers a Kennisbank (knowledge bank), a training and coaching program (Bijscholingen & Begeleiding), and club support services covering governance, finance, GDPR, volunteer management, and legal compliance. It also facilitates access to partner-delivered services such as the Assist online accounting platform, DPO-as-a-Service (with Cranium), and phishing training (with Responsum).

Product overview

Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw is the umbrella organization for sports federations and their clubs in Flanders, Belgium. The organization offers a service portfolio centered on three pillars: (1) knowledge and resources through the Kennisbank (Knowledge Bank) with model documents, Q&As, and brochures; (2) Bijscholingen & Begeleiding (Training & Coaching) including in-person training sessions, webinars, and personalized coaching; and (3) Clubondersteuning (Club Support) covering topics like GDPR, volunteer management, finances, and governance. Key products include Assist, an online accounting software built in partnership for sports clubs with integrated VAT handling; a DPO as a Service offering in partnership with Cranium; and a freelance API (Integrity Contact Persons) pool in partnership with Sportieq. Additional services include sports services for municipalities, Erasmus+ exchange programs, phishing training via Responsum, and policy publications. The organization does not offer a public API and has no AI/ML capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kennisbank (Knowledge Bank) Online knowledge base with Q&A documents, model documents, brochures, and inspiring examples covering topics such as pricing strategy, financial management, GDPR/privacy, volunteer management, and sports club operations. Designed for sports federations and club administrators.
• Bijscholingen & Begeleiding (Training & Coaching) Training sessions, coaching programs, webinars, and consultation services for sports federation staff and club administrators covering topics such as GDPR, volunteer work, financial management, communications, and good governance. Priced at €20 per session for members and €50 for non-members.
• Clubondersteuning (Club Support) Management support services for sports clubs including personalized coaching, training sessions, and guidance on club structure, volunteer management, finances, and legal compliance. Includes written guidance (€100), video call coaching (€125), in-person at VSF (€125), and on-site sessions (€180 plus mileage).
• Sportdiensten (Sports Services) Support services for municipal sports departments, including customized support matching, training organization, and coaching for local sports clubs. Targets municipal sport services as intermediaries between VSF and grassroots clubs.
• Erasmus+ Uitwisseling (Erasmus+ Exchange) European exchange program enabling sports club and federation staff to learn best practices from organizations in other European countries through job shadowing and training, supported by EU Sport Link and Erasmus+ subsidies.
• DPO as a Service Data Protection Officer service for sports federations, provided in partnership with Cranium. Includes GDPR QuickScan, ongoing advisory, and structured guidance packages for small (€2,468.40 first year, €1,645.60 after), medium (€3,291.20 first year, €2,468.40 after), and large federations (custom quote).
• Freelance API Pool (Integrity Contact Persons) Pool of freelance Integrity Contact Persons (Aanspreekpersonen Integriteit) for sports federations, provided in partnership with Sportieq. Priced at €60 per hour. Supports federations in handling integrity reports and complaints.
• Phishing Training Free annual phishing training program delivered through VSF's partner Responsum, including e-learning videos and simulated phishing emails to help sports federations and clubs recognize cyber threats.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2,800 sport clubs served annually through management support programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, main partner, core, knowledge partner and minor.

• SociarestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sociare represents employers in paritary committee PC 329 and negotiated the collective group deal for bike leasing via year-end bonuses with Scwitch and o2o Bicycle Leasing. VSF facilitates this offer for member sports federations through its network, providing budget-neutral mobility benefits for employees.
• ScwitchstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Scwitch manages the group purchasing deal for bike leasing via year-end bonuses for organizations in PC 329.01, negotiated through Sociare and o2o Bicycle Leasing. VSF promotes this group deal to member federations as a budget-neutral employee benefit averaging 14% cheaper than individual leasing.
• o2o Bicycle LeasingstrategicTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026o2o Bicycle Leasing is the bike leasing provider in the group deal organized by Sociare and Scwitch for PC 329.01 organizations. VSF facilitates access for member federations to this leasing program with support for onboarding, contract terms of 3 years, financing via year-end premium conversion, and 16% residual value.
• Arenamain partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerArena is the insurance partner of Vlaamse Sportfederatie, serving more than 95 federations and 1,500 sport clubs with sport-specific insurance products. Arena has been the partner for over 25 years and sponsors the annual Inspiratiedag event for federation employees. Arena nv is described as an agile partner with the backbone of a strong international group.
• Assistmain partnerTechnology or IntegrationAssist provides an online accounting and membership management system for sport clubs. The partnership with VSF enables clubs to manage finances, VAT declarations, and membership administration through a sport-club-specific platform at a favorable price. Assist is integrated with MultiSafepay for online payments and Intervat for VAT submissions.
• Sport VlaanderencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSport Vlaanderen is the Flemish government body responsible for sports policy and subsidies. VSF works closely with Sport Vlaanderen in implementing sports policy and receives subsidies that support its operations. The partnership involves joint initiatives such as training attestation issuance.
• Sportieqknowledge partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSportieq provides knowledge support to sports federations and clubs in the Flemish sports landscape. VSF collaborates with Sportieq within the Flemish sports policy network and jointly offers freelance Integrity Contact Persons (API) for sports federations.
• Vechtsportplatformknowledge partnerTechnology or IntegrationCombat sports platform that supports combat sports federations and clubs in the Flemish sports landscape. Listed as a knowledge partner in VSF's partner ecosystem.
• Sportwerk Vlaanderenknowledge partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSportwerk Vlaanderen focuses on sports employment and labor market issues in the sports sector. VSF collaborates with Sportwerk Vlaanderen on shared topics such as volunteer compensation, flexi-jobs, and employment regulations in sports.
• Publiqknowledge partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPubliq is a partner in the Flemish sports ecosystem providing support services. Listed as a knowledge partner in VSF's network.
• Fitnessbevlaanderenknowledge partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFitnessbevlaanderen represents fitness organizations in the Flemish sports landscape. Listed as a knowledge partner in VSF's partner ecosystem.
• Sportimoniumknowledge partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSportimonium is a sports facility and training center in Belgium. Listed as a knowledge partner in VSF's partner ecosystem.
• Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie Brusselknowledge partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Flemish Community Commission (VGC) of Brussels is active in the Brussels-Capital Region. Listed as a knowledge partner in VSF's partner ecosystem.
• MultiSafepaystrategicTechnology or IntegrationMultiSafepay provides online payment processing for sport clubs and federations at negotiated rates — up to 40% discount on transaction fees compared to standard market rates, with no fixed entry costs. VSF negotiated these terms for the entire sports sector. The service is integrated with Assist's accounting software.
• SMA Advocaten (Pascale Monbailliu)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm SMA Advocaten, represented by advocate Pascale Monbailliu, partners with VSF to deliver the training session 'Goed geregeld: intern reglement' (Internal Regulations) for sports clubs, covering topics such as internal regulations, rental agreements, and trainer contracts.
• CraniumstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCranium is VSF's selected partner for DPO-as-a-Service, providing Data Protection Officer support to sports federations. VSF facilitates access to Cranium's DPO services through its network, offering packages tailored to small, medium, and large federations with on-call guidance hours.
• ResponsumstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResponsum is VSF's partner for phishing training and cybersecurity awareness for sports federations and clubs. The training uses e-learning videos and simulated phishing emails to test and improve cyber threat recognition among staff.
• EU Sport Link (Bart Verschueren)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Sport Link, represented by Bart Verschueren, supports VSF and its member federations with Erasmus+ subsidy applications and learning mobility projects. Bart Verschueren hosts the Open Sport Bar weekly digital sessions and coordinates the Erasmus+ application writing sessions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sport England: The UK body in England that distributes public funding and supports grassroots sport through national governing bodies. Comparable umbrella-level influence and policy advocacy, though it operates as a quasi-governmental funding body rather than a member federation.
• Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB): The German national Olympic sports confederation representing over 90,000 clubs and 27 million members. Comparable role as the national umbrella advocating on sport policy, providing member services, and coordinating between federations, government, and the broader sports ecosystem.
• Sport Ireland: Ireland's statutory authority for sport, working with national governing bodies, local sports partnerships, and clubs. It is a state-backed umbrella with a service and advocacy mandate analogous to VSF's, though with a different funding/governance model.
• Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français (CNOSF): The French National Olympic and Sports Committee, the umbrella for French sports federations. Plays a similar federating and advocacy role to VSF, but at a much larger national scale across metropolitan France and overseas territories.
• Belgian Olympic Committee (BOIC/COIB): The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee, the national-level federation body coordinating Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations across Belgium. Overlaps with VSF's federal-level representation role, though VSF operates at the regional (Flemish) tier.

Direct peers

• NOC*NSF: The Dutch national umbrella organization for organized sports, federating sports organizations and serving as the collective voice of Dutch sport. Directly comparable to VSF in mandate, member services model, and advocacy role, differing mainly by geographic scope (Netherlands vs. Flanders).
• Sport Austria: The Austrian umbrella organization for federated sport, representing sports clubs and federations in Austria. Comparable mandate in governance, training, and policy advocacy for its member federations, structurally similar to VSF.
• Danmarks Idrætsforbund (DIF): The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark, serving as the umbrella for Danish federations and clubs. Comparable governance, federation representation, and member service model, with a similar advocacy footprint.
• Riksidrottsförbundet (RF): The Swedish Sports Confederation, the national umbrella organization for Swedish sport federations. Provides member services, training, and policy advocacy to its federation members — a directly comparable mandate to VSF at a similar national-population scale.
• Association des Interfédérations Sportives (AISF): The French-speaking Belgian counterpart to VSF, representing sports federations in Wallonia and Brussels. Directly comparable structure and mandate, differentiated only by language community and region within Belgium.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@vlaamsesportfederatie
• Facebookfacebook.com/vlaamsesportfederatie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vlaamse-sportfederatie-vzw
• Instagraminstagram.com/vlaamsesportfederatie

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 Vlaamse Sportfederatie vzw