SPOT ON – principles for success in sport venues
Project
The Netherlands has excellent sport facilities, but many venues remain underused. The SPOT ON project team focuses on innovative hotspots that combine financial sustainability with social value. They are investigating the success of these venues through collaboration and research with stakeholders.
SPOT ON supports policymakers, sport providers and educational institutions in learning from one another and working together to develop innovative sport solutions. Researchers focus on developing and sharing knowledge that helps to make better use of sports venues, striking a good balance between 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 venues, thereby increasing both financial and social value.
Through SPOT ON, we aim to learn from best practices and share this knowledge, so that sport venues across the Netherlands can reach their full potential.
Jan-Willem van der Roest
Professor Sport Management & Sport Business
Methodology
Through case studies and co-creation with local stakeholders, we identify the key factors behind the success of hotspots. Design-led and experimental research yields innovative models and strategies.
Social impact
Making better use of and exploiting sport venues strengthens social cohesion, sustainability and accessibility. Through collaboration and innovation, sport infrastructure is utilised more widely, yielding social and economic benefits.
Link to education
The findings enrich sport-related courses at vocational, higher vocational and university levels. We develop teaching materials for disciplines 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 further education programmes.
Results/products
We provide bespoke advice for hotspots, workshops, conferences, publications and a toolkit for sport ground managers. In addition, a menu of options for local authorities and educational materials ensure broad knowledge sharing. Academic and practice-oriented articles make the insights accessible, and an online innovation community strengthens collaboration and innovation within the sector.
Project team AUAS
- Jan-Willem van der Roest
- Joop Truijen
- Jora Broerse
Grant provider
- ZonMw
External partners
- Utrecht University (lead partner)
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Mulier Institute
- Graafschap College
- Achterhoek in Motion
- Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity
- Physical Activity Alliance
- Sport Data Valley
- NOC*NSF
- Royal Dutch Skating Union
- Entrepreneurial Sport Platform
- Social Organisations in Sport
- Association of Sport and Municipalities
- Municipality of The Hague
- Municipality of Groningen
- Sportservice North Brabant
- Sport Zeeland
- Sport Network Overijssel
- Sportservice Flevoland
- Sport Fryslân
- Sportservice Lingewaard
- House of Sport Groningen
- Association of Employers in Sport
- Optisport Holding BV
- NL Actief
- Sportfondsen Nederland BV
- Golazo Netherlands
- Sport Drenthe
- Arnhem Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences
Sport Management & Sport Business research group
This project is part of the Sport Management & Sport Business research group. Want to know more?