North Holland boosts young athletes with €20,000 funding and honors Winter Olympians
North Holland is investing €20,000 in local sports talent to help young athletes pursue their dreams, regardless of financial barriers. The province also celebrated Winter Olympians, inspiring the next generation to get involved in sports.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Amount | €20,000 (initial contribution from the province) |
| Total Target | €100,000 (to be raised in 2026) |
| Additional Support | €250 per talent via crowdfunding campaigns |
| Event Name | Samen Sterker in Sport |
| Location | Provincial government building, Haarlem |
| Honored Athletes | Bobsledders Dave Wesselink & Timme Koster; speed skaters Isabelle van Elst, Merel Conijn, Bente Kerkhoff |
| Initiative | Talentboek Noord-Holland |
| Deputy for Sport | Jeroen Olthof |
| Provincial Commissioner | Arthur van Dijk |
The Province of North Holland plays a key role in promoting sports development by funding initiatives like Talentboek Noord-Holland. It also fosters collaboration between athletes, businesses, and local governments to create opportunities for young talent.
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North Holland invests in sports talent and honors Olympians
The province is investing €20,000 in North Holland’s sports talent through Talentboek Noord-Holland. This was announced on Tuesday, March 24, by Deputy for Sport Jeroen Olthof during the "Samen Sterker in Sport" networking event at the provincial government building in Haarlem.
Olthof called on the business community to follow the province’s example. The event brought together top athletes, sports talents, businesses, and sports organizations—initiated by the province—for the first time, and North Holland’s participants in the Winter Olympics were celebrated.
“Every top athlete starts as a child taking their first steps on the ice, kicking a ball, or holding a racket at a local sports club,” said Deputy Olthof. “That’s where athletes can develop as individuals, and for some, even become top athletes. The medals they win don’t come out of nowhere. They are the result of years of training, passion, and perseverance.
And even that isn’t always enough. Not everyone has the financial means to pursue their sporting dreams. We want everyone to have that opportunity. By investing in sports as governments and businesses, we can help the next generation of North Holland champions grow. Their achievements will then inspire young people and children to take up a sport.”
Province sets an example
“The province aims to raise €100,000 this year. The first €20,000 is now being contributed by the province and will go directly to sports talents through Talentboek Noord-Holland,” Olthof explained. Every talent that launches a crowdfunding campaign via the Talentboek website will receive an additional €250 from the provincial funds. Municipal sports funds can also access this money to support their talents.
The province hopes the business community will follow by investing in Talentboek Noord-Holland. This investment in sports aligns with the recently adopted sports policy by the Provincial Council, which emphasizes talent development and the connection between elite sports, grassroots sports, and society.
Honoring Winter Olympians
During the event, North Holland’s Olympic and Paralympic Winter athletes were celebrated for their achievements. Provincial Commissioner Arthur van Dijk and Deputy for Sport Olthof presented the province’s sports medal to bobsledders Dave Wesselink and Timme Koster, and speed skaters Isabelle van Elst, Merel Conijn, and Bente Kerkhoff. Athletes who could not attend will receive their medals at a later date.
About "Samen Sterker in Sport"
The "Samen Sterker in Sport" event brought together top athletes, entrepreneurs, sports talents, sports organizations, and policymakers to discuss how collaboration between sports and business can contribute to social impact and talent development. Speakers such as Erik Versnel (Rabobank) and Lisanne de Roever (former international hockey player) shared their views on the power of sport as a connector and driver of personal and societal growth. The ambition is to organize this event more frequently.
Watch the mini-documentary below about trampoline talent Jordy Mol, who is funding his top-level sports career with the help of Talentboek.
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