Looking to play a particular sport in the Netherlands? Here's our guide to help point you in the right direction. Compiled by Ann Maher.

The Dutch are sports mad and they love joining things. There are hundreds of sports clubs.

The main federation (bond) for each sport can provide links to clubs and associations (verenigingen) in your area. National portals include www.digisport.nl,  www.sport.nl.

Spinning? Pilates? A general work out? Health clubs are widely spread with saunas and steam rooms and occasionally swimming pools. Locate a health club (fitnesscentra) via the a-z listings (gouden gids), or your gemeente gids. Short-term memberships are often available or if you look on community forums, you might pick up a membership deal from an expat heading home. A crèche may be available at larger clubs. University sports centres often have great facilities and classes open to non-students and membership is often cheaper than at other private clubs.

Baseball honkbal (www.knbsb.nl),
Dates from 1905 in the Netherlands. Activities for kids in Den Haag run by American Baseball Foundation (www.abfsport.nl)

Cricket ( www.kncb.nl)
You’ll meet up with lots of enthusiastic expats with teams for men, women and youth.

Fierljeppen (www.pbholland.nl)
Are you ready for the polder challenge?
Fierljeppen is a form of pole vaulting.

Football (www.knvb.nl)
A fascinating read about “totaal voetbal” is ‘Brilliant orange: The neurotic genius of Dutch football’ by David Winner.

Golf (www.golf.nl)
Clubs range from traditional links courses on the North Sea dunes to heather and woodland courses inland. A certificate of golf proficiency is needed at some clubs or a NGF (Nederlandse Golf Federatie) official handicap, but not always.

Ice skating (www.knsb.nl)
Speed skating is a national sport. You can learn at an outside rink

Sailing (www.knvw.nl)
Try website www.bootnodig.nl if you need a boat.

Snow Sports (www.ski.nl)
Yes, you can ski in the Netherlands (indoors, of course).

Swimming (www.knzb.nl)
Children will be aiming for their A, B and C swimming diplomas from age five or so.  To get a full list of public sports centre and swimming pools, visit www.sportfondsen.nl/.

Tennis (www.knltb.nl)
A useful portal is www.tennisinfo.nl. Costs vary. If you are prepared to play outside peak hours (in the early morning, for example) it will be cheaper.

Yoga
To locate a course near you, www.yogafinder.com is a useful source. Yoga is taught in numerous places including private studios, community centres, yoga centres, healthclubs or even in your workplace. You can also find classes for kids.

Spas, thermal baths, luxury resorts
Take some time off and pamper yourself.
At www.weekenddesk.nl  or www.weekendhotel.nl you can book a luxurious break.

Visit our listing of expat sports clubs: Expat groups and clubs in Holland - part 3

Also read, Where you keep fit in the Netherlands - an article compiled from your feedback  to our recent call out. We'd love to have more suggestions on what to do and where to go to keep fit in the Netherlands, so keep on sending them in.

9 June 2008 

[Copyright Expatica 2008]