Stichting Sport-z

What Stichting Sport-z does

Stichting Sport-Z is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting) headquartered in Alkmaar, Netherlands, that delivers inclusive sport, movement, and lifestyle programs to vulnerable populations across six North Holland municipalities: Alkmaar, Dijk en Waard, Bergen, Uitgeest, Castricum, and Heiloo. Founded in 2018 and operating with 1-10 employees, the foundation operates a portfolio spanning youth disability programs (VakantieFUN, SportFUN, Sportcarrousel, Sport & Outdoor, SportMIXX, Mini G-voetbal, Beweeg Avontuur, VakantiePRET, Urban SportZ, Ladies United), social-support programs for adults (IkSTART individual coaching, Ontmoet group activities built on the Life Goals methodology, Beweeg Atelier as a transition step), and specialized neurological/elder programs (Stap voor Stap, BreinFit, Zet je Brein in Beweging using the Ronnie Gardiner Method, DoorZetters for Non-Congenital Brain Injury, Valpreventiecursussen, Fietsles, Rookvrij Café). Program delivery relies entirely on trained human coaches executing in-person sessions at municipal venues (sports complexes, community centers, outdoor parks) rather than any proprietary technology stack.

The revenue model combines three streams: managed-services contracts with the six municipalities channeled through Zaffier (the regional social support organization that refers clients into Ontmoet, IkSTART, and adjacent tracks), project-based municipal subsidies and grants (e.g., BeweegKantine with Humanitas), and external grant co-financing (notably ZonMw project 11130042410012 under the 'Gewoon Bijzonder' program funding DoorZetters). Participant fees are nominal—most programs are free, with paid tiers capped at €45 for 10 sessions or €5 per lesson, and AlkmaarPas/Dijk en Waard Pas accepted—reflecting the social mission rather than fee-driven economics.

Customer acquisition operates through a hybrid community-led and direct-to-consumer GTM: Zaffier consulenten, healthcare/disability providers (MEE & de Wering, Oogvereniging Noord-Holland), welfare services (Halte Werk), housing associations (Kennemer Wonen), and over a dozen sports clubs and youth-welfare NGOs feed referrals, while the website and online registration forms serve direct enrollment. The marketing function leans on published success stories (e.g., Sully's 48kg weight loss via IkSTART, Stefan's transition to independent living) as proof of impact.

Name

Stichting Sport-z

Legal name

Stichting Sport-Z

Website

https://sport-z.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stichting Sport-Z is a Dutch non-profit foundation running inclusive sport, movement, and lifestyle programs for vulnerable populations—including people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and social isolation—across six North Holland municipalities, funded via municipal contracts routed through Zaffier and external grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adapted and Inclusive Sports Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Community Relations & Grassroots Program Management (MPAKAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Sports Rehabilitation, Return-to-Play & Performance Therapy Centers (MPAKAJAO), Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB)

Keywords

• Adapted sports programs
• Community sports coaching
• Inclusive movement activities
• Social support sports
• Disability sports services

Headquarters

HQ city

Alkmaar

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 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. Municipal Government Contracts: Primary funding from contracts with 6 municipalities (Alkmaar, Dijk en Waard, Bergen, Uitgeest, Castricum, Heiloo) through Zaffier social support programs. Provides sports and movement programs for vulnerable residents.
2. Municipal Subsidies and Grants: Project-based funding from municipalities for specific programs like BeweegKantine (in partnership with Humanitas) and other community sports initiatives.
3. External Grants: Funding from external organizations such as ZonMw for specific projects like DoorZetters (program 'Gewoon Bijzonder' for people with non-congenital brain injury).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stichting Sport-Z organizes and delivers inclusive sport, movement and lifestyle programs for vulnerable populations in six North Holland municipalities. Offerings include individual movement coaching (IkSTART), group activities using the Life Goals methodology (Ontmoet), a transitional independent-exercise program (Beweeg Atelier), specialized youth programs for children with disabilities (VakantieFUN, SportFUN, Sportcarrousel, Sport & Outdoor, SportMIXX, Mini G-voetbal, Beweeg Avontuur, VakantiePRET, Urban SportZ, Ladies United), and adult/senior programs (BreinFit, Zet je Brein in Beweging, DoorZetters, Valpreventiecursussen, Fietsles, Rookvrij Café, Wandel Bootcamp).

Product overview

Stichting Sport-Z is a Dutch foundation focused on sports and movement for vulnerable populations, operating primarily in the Alkmaar region (municipalities of Alkmaar, Dijk en Waard, Bergen, Uitgeest, Castricum, and Heiloo). The organization offers a multi-tiered portfolio of programs under the Zaffier umbrella, including IkSTART (individual coaching), Ontmoet (group activities using Life Goals methodology), Beweeg Atelier (transitional program), and specialized youth programs. Youth activities include VakantieFUN (vacation programs for children with disabilities), SportFUN, Sportcarrousel, Sport & Outdoor, and SportMIXX. Adult and senior programs include fitness, yoga, walking groups, specialized cognitive programs (BreinFit, Zet je Brein in Beweging, DoorZetters), fall prevention, cycling lessons, and smoking cessation support. The organization serves children, youth, adults, and seniors who face barriers to regular sports participation, including those with disabilities, mental health challenges, social isolation, or those receiving municipal support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zaffier: A program in collaboration with Zaffier offering coaching trajectory IkSTART, Ontmoet group activities, BeweegAtelier, and youth programs.
• VakantiePRET
• SportCarrousel
• IkSTART
• Ontmoet Programma
• Beweeg Atelier
• Privacy Verklaring

Products and services

• Ontmoet Programma's Group-based activity programs for residents aged 18+ who need support in one or more life areas. Uses the Life Goals methodology and includes fitness, yoga, walking, tennis, table tennis, creative activities, and more across multiple municipalities.
• IkSTART Individual coaching trajectory providing personalized one-on-one support to help participants set and achieve movement and personal development goals, typically starting with walking and adapting to the participant's needs.
• Beweeg Atelier Transitional program for former Ontmoet participants who are ready for more independent exercise while keeping the safety of a familiar group; participants commit to a 12-month period of weekly activities.
• Sport-Z On Tour – VakantiePRET Vacation activities featuring sports-oriented afternoons at various locations in Alkmaar for children and youth aged 8-27 with intellectual disabilities.
• VakantieFUN Free sports and creative vacation program for children/youth aged 6-17 with indications such as ASS (autism spectrum), AD(H)D, TOS, or similar conditions, held across the six service municipalities.
• SportFUN Weekly sports program in Alkmaar and Castricum, for children who don't find connection with regular sports offerings; held every Wednesday afternoon at De Meent in Alkmaar.
• Sportcarrousel Multi-week program where children try various sports (each sport practiced for two weeks). Designed for children aged 8-12 with overweight/obesity or for gifted children aged 8-16, at various sports locations in Alkmaar.
• Sport & Outdoor Weekly sports program on Saturday mornings at Outdoorpark Alkmaar for children and youth who don't connect with regular offerings or have intellectual disabilities; two age-specific groups; €45 for 10 weeks with introductory weeks free; AlkmaarPas accepted.
• SportMIXX Sports program in Alkmaar for children aged 9-13 who have difficulty connecting with regular offerings; typically 10-week series for special elementary school students; €45 for 10 lessons; AlkmaarPas accepted.
• Mini G-voetbal Football training for children aged 4-10 with disabilities at Vitesse'22 in Castricum; one parent accompanies each child.
• Beweeg Avontuur Weekly sports program in Alkmaar for children and youth aged 8+ with intellectual disabilities, held Monday afternoons in the gym at Judith Leysterstraat.
• Wandel Bootcamp Castricum Weekly walking bootcamp on Friday afternoons at Castricum for young adults aged 16+ with disabilities, combining walking with challenging exercises at each participant's level.
• Urban SportZ Free program for youth aged 14-18 in Alkmaar-Zuid to try challenging sports like skating, bouldering, and more.
• Ladies United Program by women for women aged 7-40 focusing on connection, positivity, and safety, including indoor football, swimming, BrainFit homework support, and social activities.
• Rookvrij Café Free smoking-cessation support group meeting every Monday at Ontmoetingscentrum de Rietschoot in Koedijk, offering coaching and a movement coach from Sport-Z.
• BreinFit Low-threshold weekly movement program for people with a faltering brain or (beginning) dementia, held at various locations in the municipality of Bergen; De Schulp charges €5 per lesson including coffee/tea, other locations free.
• Zet je Brein in Beweging 15-lesson course using the Ronnie Gardiner Method (RGM), a multi-sensory exercise method that simultaneously stimulates multiple brain areas through music, symbols, speech, and movement; suitable for people with MS, Parkinson's, non-congenital brain injury, and dementia; €5 per lesson; AlkmaarPas / Dijk en Waard Pas accepted.
• DoorZetters Weekly movement sessions for people with Non-Congenital Brain Injury (NAH), including those with injuries from accidents, oxygen deficiency, or cerebral hemorrhage, as well as people with neurological conditions; co-financed by ZonMw.
• Valpreventiecursussen Fall-prevention training courses for residents of Alkmaar municipality, teaching better balance, safer walking, and easier standing up from chairs or the floor.
• Fietsles 12-week free adult cycling lessons in Alkmaar under professional guidance, with an optional opportunity to purchase a refurbished bike for €25 at program end.
• Zaffier Program Umbrella social-support program connecting inhabitants of the six service municipalities to sports and movement activities through Zaffier consulenten referrals, integrating IkSTART, Ontmoet, BeweegAtelier, Check-IN and Inburgering tracks.
• Jongerenpunt Check-IN Youth-focused program offering both IkSTART individual coaching and Ontmoet group activities for young people seeking to develop through sports and movement.
• Inburgering Trajectory Customized trajectory for immigrants that begins with IkSTART to discover fitting activities and then transitions to Ontmoet activities with attention to language learning and social integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sully lost 48 kilos through IkSTART coaching program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZaffiercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration where Zaffier (municipal social support organization) refers vulnerable residents to Sport-Z programs. Zaffier consulents can directly enroll participants in Ontmoet, IkSTART, and other Sport-Z programs through their coordination system.
• Municipalities (Alkmaar, Dijk en Waard, Bergen, Uitgeest, Castricum, Heiloo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix municipalities in North Holland contract Sport-Z services and provide funding for sports programs targeting vulnerable populations. Municipal logos are displayed on Sport-Z website indicating formal partnerships.
• Halte WerkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal social services organization that refers clients to IkSTART program. Works with people on welfare benefits to support activation and development through movement coaching.
• MEE & de WeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting people with disabilities that referred clients to IkSTART program, including Bart who recovered from long COVID through the coaching trajectory.
• HumanitasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for BeweegKantine program where Humanitas provides volunteers/support for free game activities for residents of Alkmaar municipality.
• Oogvereniging Noord-HollandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye association collaborated with Sport-Z to organize a sports carousel for people with visual impairments, recruiting participants from Oogcafé Alkmaar.
• Groups for BalanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for SportCarrousel in September 2026 targeting children 8-12 with (threat of) overweight, in collaboration with physiotherapy practices.
• Straatgeluid, Youth for Christ, LINK JongerenwerkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Future Leading Player development program for girls 14-20, along with Gemeente Alkmaar, creating a safe and stimulating environment for personal development.
• VONK (Vitaal Ouder Noord-Kennemerland), Stichting Welzijn Bergen, Holland Sport, Alzheimer Nederland, Dovida, GeriantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership network for BreinFit program including organizations focused on elderly care, dementia support, and vitality in North-Kennemerland region.
• Stichting Welzijn BergenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Game Night event and Open Atelier creative activities in Bergen municipality.
• Stichting Welzijn CastricumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Sporten zonder Grenzen' event in Castricum, organized together with youth work.
• Kennemer Wonen, Holland SportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique collaboration for 'Plan Oost Beweegt' in Heiloo, bringing together housing association, community sports coach, and social sports coach.
• Holland SportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Termijen Beweegt' in Heiloo with neighborhood sports coach.
• Heliomare College AlkmaarminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducational partnership for Try-Out Sport-Z program, where Sport-Z coaches provide after-school sports activities for students at the special education school.
• Sports clubs and associationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVarious partnerships with sports clubs for SportCarrousel activities, including clubs visited during the program and clubs where participants can continue sports after the program.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Philadelphia Zorg: Large Dutch care provider for people with intellectual disabilities offering supported living, day activities, and increasingly adapted sports and movement programs. Broader incumbent operating in the disability space with overlapping adapted-activity offerings.
• NOC*NSF: Dutch Olympic Committee and Sports Federation, the umbrella body for organized sport in the Netherlands. Sets national sports policy and channels funding, including into inclusive sport—adjacent incumbent whose priorities directly shape municipal sport-commissioning decisions.
• Fonds Gehandicaptensport: National Dutch fund that finances disability sports initiatives and infrastructure. Broader incumbent in the same adaptive-sports space, operating via grants and advocacy rather than direct program delivery like Sport-Z.

Emerging players

• JINC: Dutch non-profit helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds gain skills and exposure through workplace and activity programs. Comparable on the social-inclusion mission and youth target segment, though using non-sports interventions alongside experiential learning.

Others

• Alzheimer Nederland: Dutch association supporting people with dementia and caregivers, including through physical-activity initiatives. Relevant because Sport-Z runs BreinFit and Stap voor Stap for dementia participants, but Alzheimer Nederland is a broader advocacy and support organization.
• Kenniscentrum Sport & Bewegen: Dutch national knowledge center for sport and physical activity, providing research, policy advice, and tools for inclusive sport. Ecosystem participant whose evidence base and frameworks often underpin programs like Sport-Z's.

Direct peers

• Sportservice Nederland: Dutch organization supporting municipalities and sports clubs with community sports provision, including buurtsportcoaches and inclusive-sport programming. Highly comparable business model—municipal commissioned community sports delivery, including inclusive programs.
• Stichting Buurtsportcoach Nederland: National network coordinating buurtsportcoaches (community sports coaches) deployed in Dutch municipalities to promote local participation, often with vulnerable populations. Comparable on the coach-in-the-municipality operating model and target beneficiaries.
• Uniek Sporten: Dutch national platform that helps people with disabilities, chronic conditions, or other barriers find adapted sports opportunities in their region. Highly comparable because Uniek Sporten addresses the same 'matching vulnerable populations to inclusive sports' challenge that Sport-Z solves, and Sport-Z's own site links directly to Uniek Sporten under 'Advies Aangepast Sporten'.
• Special Olympics Nederland: Dutch branch of Special Olympics offering year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. Directly comparable on target population (intellectual disabilities) and adaptive-sports delivery model, though operating at national rather than municipal level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-sport-z

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Stichting Sport-z