Community Contribution by Lorenzo Maddalena, student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences
From 13 to 22 August 2027, the Beach Volleyball World Championships will take place in the Netherlands, bringing international sport to The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Apeldoorn.
The Hague will host the opening match and final weekend, with beach volleyball returning to the Hofvijver following the success of the 2015 Championships.
For a city with such a large and diverse international community, the event raises an interesting question: could the Championships also provide an opportunity to involve international residents more directly?
That question is at the centre of my graduation research.
My name is Lorenzo Maddalena, and I am an International Sport Management student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. In collaboration with Nevobo, the Dutch Volleyball Federation, I am exploring the feasibility of a possible International Day during the 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
Having worked at major international sporting events, including the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, I have become particularly interested in spectator experience and how sport can engage international communities. That interest led me to this research.
Why focus on international residents?
The Hague is home to people from many different countries and backgrounds. International professionals, students, families, entrepreneurs, diplomats, researchers and employees of international organisations all contribute to the character of the city.
However, living in an international city does not automatically mean feeling connected to its sporting events. The purpose of this research is therefore to hear directly from international residents.
Would the opportunity to support a particular country or team make attendance more attractive? Would people be more likely to attend with friends, family or colleagues? Could ticket prices, work schedules, transport or childcare become barriers? Would a social or networking element add value—and where would international residents expect to find information about the event?
These practical questions can help determine whether an International Day would be worthwhile and, if so, what could make it successful.
You do not need to be a volleyball fan
You do not need to play volleyball, follow beach volleyball or regularly attend live sporting events to participate in the research.
Responses from people who would not normally attend a volleyball event are especially valuable. If an International Day is intended to reach a wider audience, understanding what could attract new visitors is just as important as hearing from existing sports fans.
The survey is open to international residents living in the Netherlands, with particular interest in people who live, work, study or regularly spend time in The Hague and nearby cities.
From assumptions to evidence
The survey has been developed with input from Nevobo, The Hague International Centre and ACCESS NL.
The results will form part of my graduation research and will be used to make recommendations to Nevobo about the feasibility of an International Day and the factors that could support its successful implementation.
The aim is to base those recommendations on what international residents actually say—not on assumptions about what they might want.
How to take part
The short survey takes approximately three to four minutes to complete and will remain open until 20 October 2026.
You are also welcome to share it with other international residents in your network. Every additional response helps build a clearer picture of what people would value from an event like this.
If an International Day is eventually developed during the Championships, this research aims to ensure that international residents have a voice in shaping what it could look like.
About the author
Lorenzo Maddalena is an International Sport Management student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. His interests include event management, spectator experience and engaging international communities through sport.
The Libéma Open is an international grass tennis singles and mixed tournament for men and women and which is held in Rosmalen, near ‘s-Hertogenbosch from 6 – 14 June.
Registration for the men’s singles at Libéma is now closed. Defending champion Gabriel Diallo (ATP-46) will face significant challenges from at least four top 20 players and multiple Grand Slam champions.
The schedule for the ATP 250 tournament is led by Felix Auger-Aliassime (ATP-5). Former world number one and US Open winner Daniil Medvedev is the second top 10 player (ATP-9) coming to the Autotron ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Arthur Fils (ATP-17) and Cameron Norrie (ATP-20) are formidable world-class players.
Other big names competing on the Brabant grass include Arthur Rinderknech (ATP-24), Ugo Humbert (ATP-33), Denis Shapovalov (ATP-37), US Open champion and Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic (ATP-49), and Hubert Hurkacz (ATP-53).
The registration for the women’s event is still be completed, however, the Libéma Open welcomes several former winners in the women’s singles draw, including Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova. The Czech player was the best on London’s hallowed grass in 2024.
Elise Mertens (WTA-22) is the defending champion at the and will be hunting for back-to-back titles. A feat that Ekaterina Alexandrova (WTA-14) knows all about. She claimed the singles title in 2022 and 2023.
Danish player Clara Tauson (WTA-18) is, after Alexandrova, the second top-20 player coming to the Brabant grass. Australian Maya Joint (WTA-34), former world number eight Emma Navarro (WTA-35), top talent Sara Bejlek (WTA-37), rising star Anastasia Potapova (WTA-38), and emerging Janice Tjen (WTA-40) complete the top-40.
Last year’s finalist Elena-Gabriela Ruse (WTA-67) is also returning.
Libéma Open – International tennis tournament (6 – 14 June 2026) Autotron ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Going into what was set to be a vital game for ADO Den Haag in pushing for their automatic promotion hopes, the home side sat atop the Eerste Divisie table with 19 points in 7 games. Taking wins in 6 of them. The league leaders faced Noord-Brabant opponents TOP Oss who were struggling mid table with just 10 points, just coming off the back of a disappointing 2-1 home loss to promotion hopefuls Roda JC. While ADO were still unbeaten in the league and had won the last 5 games in a row, and certainly looking to add to that with this Monday night fixture against TOP Oss.
The tone was set immediately by the home side as Curacao national and ADO winger Nigel Thomas picked up the ball well into the TOP Oss half and with a staggering turn of pace cut towards the by-line and played in a hopeful cross into the box, searching for a yellow and green shirt. The ball fortuitously deflected down into the feet of Den Haag marksman Jesse Bal who made no mistake from 15 yards out and placed the ball past the despairing Havekotte in goal. With just 6 minutes played the home side were 1-0 up and already had their sights on yet another league win.
The chances soon flooded after that, and just 8 minutes later another chance fell to ADO. This time to attacking midfielder Luka Reischl who didn’t manage to capitalise on a good cross in from Illiajah de Ruijter as TOP Oss number 1 Mike Havekotte got down well to his left hand side and parried the ball away. Unluckily the parry landed at the feet of goalscorer Nigel Thomas who too managed a shot on target but another parry by Havekotte, this time out of play, managed to subdue the ADO attack and provide restbite for the struggling away side.
On 25 minutes, however, the away side finally cracked again as a good corner ball found its way to the back post where it was headed down by defensive midfielder Juho Kilo toward centre back Diogo Tomas who flicked towards the goal and into the back of the net. Doubling the advantage for the home side, and securing that much needed 2 goal cushion. A cushion that was soon expanded to 3 just 10 minutes later as a good ball into the penalty area from the right hand side by Nigel Thomas found the head of Luka Reischl who made no mistake this time and directed the ball past Havekotte who was rooted to the spot. Giving the home side a 3 goal advantage in just 35 minutes.
The away side did manage a goal before the end of the first half, however, as tricky TOP Oss winger Joshua ZImmerman gave himself a yard with a good step over on the right hand side and played in a great cross to TOP number 9 Tijmen Wildeboer who scored what will likely go down as one of the goals of the month and perhaps the season as he superbly flicked the ball behind his left foot first time off the incoming cross and into the far corner, leaving Nikiema no chance. The score was now 3-1 to ADO with 44 minutes played.
The home side did manage to regain their 3 goal lead even before the break as with just 1 minute into added time a long range effort from Jari Vlak somehow beat Havekotte thanks to some poor goalkeeping as the ball went underneath the keeper’s dive to his left hand side. The score was 4-1 to ADO going into the halftime break.
In the second half a flood of chances were created by the home side, forcing some great saves and great defending from TOP Oss to prevent another ADO goal. This was until the 76th minute as an incoming free kick was headed down by Matteo Waem to Jari Vlak at the far post who easily volleyed it home to make it 5-1 from the home side and secure all 3 points as the final whistle confirmed the score.
ADO were now still top of the table and had extended their lead to 2 points ahead of second place Cambuur and still with a game in hand. Their eyes will now be turned to their next game which will undoubtedly be crucial in maintaining this good run of form as ADO are set to face lower mid-table Jong AZ away from home on Friday the 3rd of October.
MATCH FACTS:
ADO 5 – 1 TOP Oss
ADO: Bal (7), Tomas (26), Reischl (36), Vlak (45+2, 77)
The Hague sports summer has started: from 21 June to 21 September, the whole of The Hague will be all about sports and exercise. For young and old, there are cool and special sports to try out and top sports events to experience. The sports summer was officially kicked off with the festive opening of the Marit Bouwmeester Academy in Laak.
Children can try out cool sports
Everyone is welcome at the Hague Summer Sports Festivals in several districts. Children between the ages of 4 and 12 can try out new sports under supervision during these free sports days, such as panna football, BMX and basketball. Clinics are also given by TeamNL top athletes. Young water sports enthusiasts can participate in water sports activities at the Marit Bouwmeester Academy for free on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the summer.
Sports councillor Hilbert Bredemeijer is looking forward to a sporty summer: “Panna football, sailing or watching Beach Rugby at Scheveningen: it will be a great sporty summer in The Hague. During this Hague Sports Summer there is plenty of sporting activity to do in the city. In this way we want to get residents of The Hague, young and old, moving. I invite everyone to join in sports and visit the events.”
Top sport in The Hague
The Hague is once again the host city for wonderful top sporting events this summer. Visitors can see top athletes in action during various (international) events, such as the North Sea Beach Rugby, NK Beach Soccer and the World Cup qualification of basketball.
City Games festive closing
The Hague Summer of Sports will be festively concluded during the City Games on the weekend of 20-21 September. This free sports event for young and old will return to the Zuiderpark. During the City Games, all residents of The Hague can get acquainted with various sports and exercise options in their own neighbourhood.
The European Wheelchair Rugby Championship starts on 22 April at Sportcampus Zuiderpark in The Hague. Eight country teams will compete for the European title. This biennial event is an important step towards the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 and offers direct qualification for the World Cup in 2026.
The tournament starts on Tuesday evening 22 April with a spectacular opening ceremony and the Netherlands – Sweden match. Pool matches take place from Wednesday to Friday, followed by the intermediate round on Saturday. On Sunday 27 April, the finals will be played and the European champion will be crowned.
The greatest sport you’ve never heard of
Wheelchair rugby, also known as ‘murderball’, is a unique Paralympic sport for athletes with disabilities of arms and legs. The sport combines elements of rugby, basketball and ice hockey, offering a spectacular mix of physical confrontation, speed and tactics. Eight of Europe’s best teams – the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, Poland, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and France – will compete in The Hague for the medal of honour. According to Reda Haouam, player of the Dutch team, wheelchair rugby is ‘the most beautiful sport you have never heard of’.
Martin van Hinte, TeamNL national coach, agrees: ‘My American colleague joked the other day that in our sport, people with disabilities try to handicap other people with disabilities. Although this is an exaggeration, sometimes things get really tough. It’s all about tactics and sharpness, and spectacle is guaranteed!’
International allure and local pride
Sports alderman Hilbert Bredemeijer is proud that The Hague gets to host a parasports event with international allure. ‘The European Wheelchair Rugby Championship will be a fantastic sports tournament in the Sportcampus Zuiderpark, with exciting and spectacular top-level matches. It will be a sporting celebration for and with the whole city, showing that sport is for everyone, with or without disabilities. This tournament is a model of inclusive sport on which The Hague will build further, including by establishing a local wheelchair rugby team. A call to all sports fans: come along to the Sportcampus for a match or take part in the many cool side events.’
Social impact
The social side events are an important part of this event. Willem Gallé, project manager of the European Wheelchair Rugby Championship on behalf of organiser Team TOC, stresses, ‘We want to make an impact with unique sports. That is what we are doing this time with the European Wheelchair Rugby Championship. We are bringing absolute top sport to The Hague, and thanks to the involvement of the municipality and other partners, there are also many social activations on the programme. Thus, together we are creating lasting progress in inclusivity. Among other things, there is a blind grandstand for visually impaired sports fans and various clinics will be organised. During the tournament, multi-sport days will be held for people with a muscular disease or visual impairment, and on 19 April there will be pop-up pitches in the centre of The Hague. This is how we bring the sport to the people so that everyone can experience what it is like to play sports in a wheelchair!’
Photos : Team TOC / NOC*NSF.
Photo of alderman Hilbert Bredemeijer during a wheelchair rugby clinic – credit Valerie Kuypers.
