The Hague is one of the Netherlands’ leading elite sports cities, according to the 2025 Hague Elite Sports Monitor, which maps the scale, performance and social significance of elite sport in the city.
The monitor shows that The Hague has 16 elite sports programmes and 22 talent development programmes, supporting more than 1,400 elite athletes and emerging talents. This gives the city a broad and well-developed elite sports infrastructure that combines sporting achievement with social impact.
Strong sporting performances and successful talent development
Athletes and teams in The Hague have achieved notable results. Three Hague teams became national champions, several athletes won national titles, and athletes from the city are represented in national squads. More than 100 emerging athletes from The Hague have also now received official NOC*NSF promising-talent status.
The city has 416 athletes participating in elite sports programmes and more than 1,000 emerging talents in talent development programmes. A notable proportion of elite athletes have progressed through The Hague’s own development structures. Within the elite sports programmes, 58% of athletes were trained by their current club.
This highlights the strength of talent development in The Hague and the role of local sports clubs as a breeding ground for national-level athletes.
Hilbert Bredemeijer, The Hague’s alderman for Sport, said:
“This monitor shows that The Hague is not only a city where elite sport takes place, but also a city where talented athletes can progress to the highest level. This is thanks to the athletes, coaches, clubs and many volunteers. Together with our partners, we will therefore continue investing in a strong and future-proof elite sports infrastructure.”
Elite sport with social value
Elite sport in The Hague not only produces sporting success, but also has considerable social value for the city. No less than 93% of elite sports programmes organise community activities, including clinics at schools, neighbourhood activities and projects for specific target groups.
Elite sports clubs in The Hague also attract thousands of visitors and have a large network of members and volunteers.
Sebastiaan ten Hagen, chair of Haagsche Rugby Club (HRC), said:
“The monitor confirms what we experience every day: strong elite sport begins with strong clubs. At HRC, we see how talent development, volunteering, elite sport and community involvement reinforce one another.
“The national championship won by our men’s team is a wonderful achievement, but it is equally important that young athletes in The Hague can see that they can develop within their own club and reach the national elite. More than two-thirds of the HRC men’s squad previously played in our youth teams.”
Monitor provides direction for further development
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor was developed to track the development of elite sport and sporting talent over time. It provides insight into the current situation, while also identifying opportunities to strengthen the city’s elite sporting environment.
The findings show, among other things, that satisfaction with the programmes is high, while also highlighting areas for improvement.
Dr Koen Breedveld, professor of Impact of Sport at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), said:
“With relatively limited investment, the city supports hundreds of elite athletes and more than a thousand emerging talents. Its strength lies not only in sporting performance, but also in the continuous development of talent and the social involvement of sports clubs.
“At the same time, the monitor makes clear that success cannot be taken for granted. To maintain this position, continued investment in facilities, specialist support and organisational continuity is essential.”
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor is conducted annually by the Impact of Sport research group at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), on behalf of the Municipality of The Hague.
It systematically tracks the development of elite sport and talent development in the city and provides insight into sporting performance, social impact, talent development and future investment.
The municipal council letter concerning the 2025 Hague Elite Sports Monitor, with the monitor included as an appendix, can be viewed online.
More information
https://denhaag.raadsinformatie.nl/modules/13/Overige%20bestuurlijke%20stukken/1179213