The Sven Kramer Academy marks its fifth anniversary, continuing its mission to give every child in the Netherlands the opportunity to experience the joy of ice skating before turning twelve.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch skating news outlet, reports on the ongoing success and growth of the academy.
Since its inception, the Sven Kramer Academy (SKA) has steadily increased its reach, engaging more children and involving additional ice rinks across the country. Recently, a new participation record was unveiled in The Hague, reflecting the expanding influence of the project. Douwe de Vries, the academy’s director, acknowledged that while there is potential for further growth, the initiative depends on partner contributions and venue availability, which may eventually limit expansion. Nevertheless, maintaining current participation levels is regarded as a significant achievement.
De Vries emphasized that the focus is not solely on annual growth but on providing a meaningful experience. This winter, around 18,000 children were able to skate through the academy’s programs—approximately two thousand more than the previous year. The increase is attributed to the inclusion of additional ice rinks, allowing the academy to offer opportunities to children throughout the Netherlands. The goal is to sustain this broad accessibility for many years to come.
Local ice rink managers have shown growing enthusiasm for the project. They not only feel connected to the academy but also take ownership, as the initiative uses their facilities without commercial fees. This collaborative approach helps keep the program affordable and accessible, ensuring more children can enjoy ice skating.
