SPOT ON – success principles for sport facilities
The Netherlands has excellent sport facilities, but many locations remain underused. The SPOT ON project team focuses on innovative hotspots that combine financial sustainability with social value. They study the success of these locations through collaboration and research with stakeholders.
SPOT ON supports policymakers, sport providers, and educational institutions to learn from each other and create innovative sport solutions together. Researchers develop and share knowledge that helps make better use of sport facilities, balancing financial and social returns. In addition, SPOT ON supports and inspires stakeholders in the sport sector to innovate in the management, operation, and use of sport facilities, increasing both financial and social value.
With SPOT ON, we aim to learn from the best examples and share this knowledge so sport facilities across the Netherlands can reach their full potential.
Jan-Willem van der Roest
Professor Sport Management & Sport Business
Method
Through case studies and co-creation with local stakeholders, we map the success principles of hotspots. Design-oriented and experimental research produces innovative models and strategies.
Social Impact
Better use and management of sport facilities strengthens social cohesion, sustainability, and accessibility. Collaboration and innovation expand the role of sport infrastructure, generating both social and economic benefits.
Connection with education
The findings enrich sport-related programmes at mbo, hbo, and university level. We develop educational materials for fields such as sport management and facility management, enabling students to apply innovative organisational and business models in practice. Collaboration with umbrella organisations ensures continuous knowledge development and implementation in follow-up courses.
Results/products
We provide tailored advice for hotspots, workshops, conferences, publications, and a toolkit for sport park managers. A menu of options for municipalities and educational materials ensures broad knowledge sharing. Academic and practical articles make insights accessible, while an online community of innovation strengthens collaboration and sector-wide innovation.
AUAS project team
- Jan-Willem van der Roest
- Joop Truijen
- Jora Broerse
Funding organisation
- ZonMw
External partners
- Utrecht University (lead partner)
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Mulier Institute
- Graafschap College
- Achterhoek in beweging
- Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity
- Beweegalliantie
- Sport Data Valley
- NOC*NSF
- Royal Dutch Skaters Federation
- Platform Ondernemende Sport
- Social Organisations in Sport
- Association Sport and Municipalities
- Municipality of The Hague
- Municipality of Groningen
- Sportservice Noord-Brabant
- Sport Zeeland
- Sport Network Overijssel
- Sportservice Flevoland
- Sport Fryslân
- Sportservice Lingewaard
- House for Sport Groningen
- Association Employers in Sport
- Optisport Holding BV
- NL Actief
- Sportfondsen Nederland BV
- Golazo Nederland
- Sport Drenthe
- Arnhem Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences
Involved research group
This project is part of the Sport Management & Sport Business research group.