SCHELDE DISTRIBUTOR JANSSEN-FRITSEN ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DUTCH BASKETBALL BOND

April, 2026

Janssen-Fritsen Powered by Schelde Becomes Official Partner of Basketball Nederland

Five-year partnership to build and grow the game of basketball in the Netherlands and make the sport accessible for everybody

Helmond, the Netherlands — Janssen-Fritsen and Basketball Nederland (NBB) today announce a strategic five-year partnership. Through this collaboration, Janssen-Fritsen becomes an Official Partner of the Dutch Basketball Federation, with a shared mission: to further develop, expand, and make basketball in the Netherlands accessible to everyone.

Basketball is the fastest-growing sport in the Netherlands and has experienced strong growth in recent years. At the same time, this growth is increasingly constrained by limited indoor capacity, while demand remains high — with thousands of children currently on waiting lists. This presents a clear opportunity. Through this new partnership, Janssen-Fritsen and the NBB will join forces to create additional space for the sport, including investing in innovative and accessible playing environments such as outdoor courts. In doing so, the ambition of the NBB — to make basketball accessible to everyone, regardless of age, level, or background — aligns with the sporting expertise and Dutch roots of Janssen-Fritsen.

A Natural Dutch Partnership

“As a Dutch company with deep roots in sport, we are incredibly proud to partner with Basketball Nederland. Schelde Sports has been a trusted name in basketball at the highest international level for decades, as the official equipment supplier to FIBA. Now, through this partnership, we are combining that global expertise with the local reach and community focus of Janssen-Fritsen to make a real impact on basketball in our own backyard. We want every court in the Netherlands — whether in a school gym, a local club, or an outdoor neighborhood court — to be a place where people discover and fall in love with the game.” — John van der Horst, MD Janssen-Fritsen

“With this partnership, we are building towards our shared promise: We’ll Make It Everywhere. We see that the demand for basketball is growing rapidly, while space is often the limiting factor. That’s exactly where the opportunity lies. Together with Schelde Sports, we aim to facilitate this growth by acting as a curator towards municipalities and clubs, and by jointly investing in accessible playing spaces such as outdoor courts. With the best baskets on the market, we ensure that our community can play everywhere — and knows the level of quality they can expect.” — Michiel van Elk, Head of Marketing & Events Basketball Nederland

Key Pillars of the Partnership

Basketball for Everybody The partnership places enablement at its core. Joint programs will target underserved communities, youth development, wheelchair basketball, and 3x3 basketball — ensuring that the sport reaches players of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds across the Netherlands.

Infrastructure and Equipment With over 2,500 basketball courts across the Netherlands, there is a significant opportunity to raise the standard of playing facilities nationwide. Janssen-Fritsen Powered by Schelde will work alongside Basketball Nederland to improve and standardize equipment in clubs, schools, and outdoor courts, providing FIBA-quality solutions made accessible for community use.

Grassroots Growth and Visibility Through joint events, clinics, and co-branded activations at national competitions such as the Basketball Cup, the Orange Lions national team programs, and 3x3 events, the partners will increase the visibility and appeal of Schelde basketball equipment to new audiences throughout the country.

Innovation and Knowledge Sharing Leveraging Schelde Sports’ position as a FIBA Global Equipment Supplier and its proven track record at the Olympic Games and World Cups, the partnership will bring international best practices and innovative equipment solutions to the Dutch basketball ecosystem.