Verbunt Hockey

What Verbunt Hockey does

Verbunt Hockey B.V. is a Dutch privately-held specialty retailer and wholesaler focused on field hockey goalkeeping equipment, founded in 1985 in Dongen and since 2019 headquartered in a 2,000m² energy-neutral facility at Spanjestraat 2, Kaatsheuvel. The company operates a dual-channel model: a Dutch and English e-commerce webshop shipping via GLS (same-day dispatch for orders before 15:00) and a physical showroom for walk-in customers and club fittings, complemented by B2B wholesale supply to hockey clubs. They hold the official OBO Goalkeeping distribution rights for Western Europe, a partnership in place since 2003, and additionally distribute Bauer, Kookaburra, TK, Grays, Mercian, and Canterbury products alongside a small private label (VH) for training balls, ball bags, and accessories. Verbunt Hockey also operates the only in-house goalkeeper-equipment repair and maintenance service in Europe, staffed by specialists with decades of experience.

The business earns revenue through one-time retail and wholesale sales of physical protective equipment (helmets, body armour, leg guards, kickers, gloves, kickers, pads, sticks), training materials, balls, field/club materials, and medical supplies, with pricing publicly listed across the website. Publicly reported claims include serving over 75% of hockey clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium, self-described market leadership as the largest goalkeeper specialist worldwide, and 40 years of operating history. The company is owned by Bas Krikke, who acquired full ownership in 2013 following the passing of founder Gijs Verbunt in 2004. There is no disclosed funding, no parent company, no AI/ML capability, and no disclosed revenue; the company runs with a reported 1-10 employees.

Name

Verbunt Hockey

Legal name

Verbunt Hockey

Website

https://verbunthockey.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verbunt Hockey is a Dutch specialty retailer and wholesaler (founded 1985) that distributes field hockey goalkeeping equipment and apparel across Europe. It holds exclusive OBO distribution rights for Western Europe and operates an e-commerce site, a 2,000m² showroom, and a unique in-house repair service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sporting Goods Retail

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Hockey & Field Hockey Equipment Retail (CRAMAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Team Sports Protective Gear & Sports Medicine Retail (CRAMAEAJ)

Keywords

• Field hockey equipment
• Goalkeeper protection gear
• Hockey retail
• Sports equipment wholesaler
• Goalkeeper apparel

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaatsheuvel

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales (E-commerce and Showroom): Direct-to-consumer sales through the company's Dutch e-commerce platform and 2000m2 physical showroom in Kaatsheuvel. Products include goalkeeper protection equipment, sticks, training materials, balls, and accessories.
2. Wholesale to Clubs: B2B wholesale distribution to hockey clubs across the Netherlands, Belgium, and wider Europe. Maintains relationships with over 75% of hockey clubs in Netherlands and Belgium.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Verbunt Hockey operates a specialized retail and wholesale business for field hockey goalkeeping equipment. The company sells protective gear (helmets, body armours, legguards, kickers, gloves, kickers, throat protectors), sticks, training materials, balls, and apparel from multiple brands including OBO, Bauer, Kookaburra, TK, and Grays, alongside its own private-label VH range. It also operates the only in-house maintenance and repair service for goalkeeping equipment in Europe, performed by specialists with decades of experience.

Product overview

Verbunt Hockey is a specialized hockey goalkeeping equipment retailer and wholesaler, operating as the largest goalkeeper specialist worldwide. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products organized into main categories: Keepers Protection Equipment (helmets, viziers, body armours, legguards, kickers, gloves, throat protectors, tocks), Player Protection Equipment (penalty corner masks, knee guards, hand protectors), Clothing (goalkeeper shirts, shorts, base layers), Training Materials and Balls, Field and Club Materials, Medical Care, and Gadgets. The company serves as the official OBO distributor for West Europe since 2003 and carries multiple brands including OBO, Bauer, Kookaburra, Malik, TK, VH (private label), Canterbury, Grays, and Mercian. Verbunt Hockey also provides unique in-house repair and maintenance services for goalkeeping equipment, the only such service in Europe. Their own VH brand includes training balls, ball bags, training equipment, and accessories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OBO Goalkeeping Products Complete range of OBO goalkeeper protection equipment including helmets, viziers, body armours, legguards, kickers, gloves, throat protectors, tocks, and goalkeeper sticks. OBO is recognized for its focus on Research & Development and product innovation for keeper safety.
• Bauer Hockey Products Major brand offering ice hockey-derived goalkeeping helmets, cages, and accessories compatible with field hockey use, including Re-Akt helmets, universal helmet kits, throat protectors, defender gloves, and chincups.
• Kookaburra Hockey Balls Premium hockey balls including the FIH-approved Dimple Elite ball (the only hockey ball fully approved by FIH for international competition, Olympic tournaments, and top leagues), Dimple Standard training balls, and Flare balls. Dimple Elite features a three-layer cork and rubber core wrapped in yarn embedded in a cork shell surrounded by PU-coated housing.
• Malik Matchball Malik match balls for training and competition, available in white, fluor yellow, and Dimple versions for water and semi-fields. Known for not discoloring and surviving harsh winter conditions.
• OOP FaceOff Steel Masks OOP FaceOff Steel face masks are the only FIH EU Recommended steel facemasks, chosen by 95% of International Penalty Corner defenders. Features strong high-tensile steel chassis with virtually unobstructed view. 96% of masks used at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games were OOP FaceOFF steel masks. Available in Youth (ages 9-12) and JR-SR sizes.
• OBO MONO Goalie Clothing OBO MONO is a 2025 product line of matching goalkeeper shirts and shorts with highly breathable material for maximum air flow and a tight fit with stretchy material for freedom of movement. Available in 5 color ways: orange, blue, pink, black, and red. Sizes relate to protection product sizes.
• OBO ReKeep Bouncer The first 100% recycled rebound box made from foam waste from OBO's New Zealand factory and reused foam from worn OBO keeper gear. Designed to make training of all team members more exciting with multiple rebound surfaces (slanted for high rebounds, straight for low rebounds, 3D for random rebounds). Weighs 11kg with dimensions 100x40x28cm. UV light and waterproof with built-in handles.
• TK Goalkeeping Products TK offers goalkeeper sticks and equipment including the G1 DH1 ShootOut developed with two-time world goalkeeper David Harte, and PC knee guards for penalty corner defense.
• Canterbury Clothing Canterbury offers base layer clothing and sports apparel including Thermoreg long-sleeved tops and undergarments for hockey players.
• Grays Goalkeeper Sticks Grays offers goalkeeper sticks including the GK2000 (available in 35.5" & 37.5") and GK4000 Junior (available in 35").
• Mercian Goalkeeper Sticks Mercian offers goalkeeper sticks including the Elite CKF90GK (90% carbon) and GEN CF25 GK junior stick (25% carbon).
• Repair and Maintenance Services The only in-house maintenance and repair service for goalkeeping equipment in Europe, performed by specialists with decades of experience. Services include foam and clogs repair (professionally gluing tears, new tongues, reinforcement), body protectors and textile repair (sewing, velcro replacement, hole repair), and helmet refurbishment (visor mounting, interior replacement, complete helmet restoration).
• VH Private Label Products Verbunt Hockey's own brand including training balls, ball bags (S/M/L sizes), clip/whiteboards, marking cones, goal nets, and various accessories.
• VH Ballentas L +/- 72st. Larger ball bag with space for minimum 72 balls plus vests and/or markers. Features reinforced bottom plate inside and wear-resistant plate with feet on outside for extra robustness. New for 2026: reinforced clasp with buckle instead of cord. Price: €23.00.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• OBO GoalkeepingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2003Official distributor for OBO Goalkeeping products in West-Europe since 2003. OBO is a New Zealand-based manufacturer of field hockey goalkeeper equipment. Verbunt Hockey is the exclusive authorized partner for Western European distribution, handling sales, support, and OBO sponsorship inquiries for the region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/verbunthockey
• Instagraminstagram.com/verbunt_hockey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verbunthockey

Compliance4 records

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 Verbunt Hockey