The SUNS. Sporty and socially active

Den Helder has always been a basketball city. With the SUNS, we once again have two top teams promoting both basketball and the city. On the eve of our sixth season in the Eredivisie, we spoke with venue coordinator and business club manager Fred van Eck about the sport, young talent, and community involvement.

“"It's the atmosphere. The crowd on the benches, the whole evening surrounding it." Fred van Eck gets excited just talking about it. "We have cheerleaders, games for and with children... It's actually indescribable. You have to experience it."”

The SUNS are excited. Next season will finally have an audience again. Van Eck: "Well, we were doing a good job of getting noticed, including by being very active socially. But that big "C" threw a wrench in the works."“

Small club, big things

The men's team plays in the BNXT, formerly the Dutch Basketball League. The women's team is in the Women's Basketball League and can call themselves the reigning champions, having remained undefeated so far. With the Helderse skyline on their jerseys, both teams show that Den Helder is still in the game. Van Eck: "Den Helder used to be big in basketball. A Den Helder vs. Den Bosch game was like an Ajax vs. Feyenoord match. We've had a few rough years with the men. Now, with the SUNS, we're back in a solid mid-table position in the league. The women have always been very consistent. They just keep charging forward. It's a very young team and even has several international players in our ranks."”

Their success is partly due to a keen eye for young talent. Van Eck: “Big clubs buy players from abroad. We only have Dutch players, some of whom come from our own Noordkop breeding ground. And we have excellent coaches who know how to elevate our players to the highest level. They keep them motivated to the core. That's how you see how even a small club can achieve great things.”

SUNS Assist

The SUNS don't just excel athletically. As SUNS Assist, they're socially active, collaborating with educational institutions, welfare organizations, and other partners. Van Eck: "In a basketball nation like America, players are at a very high level. Our players are approachable. They're deeply involved in society and committed to doing good."“

For example, they've contributed to the TekPark LEGO project and visit schools to give clinics or read aloud. Van Eck: "Afterward, students receive a ticket to a game. This way, they first get to know the sport and the players, and then they see their new heroes in action. We're getting young people excited about basketball, and who knows, maybe one day there will even be one who can grow into our own breeding ground."“

Besides education, the SUNS also seeks partnerships with community organizations like MEE & De Wering and Parlan. People with disabilities or (temporarily) distanced from the labor market support the club through these organizations. For example, there's a livestream. Van Eck: "We played without an audience for a long time. Together with our partners MEE & De Wering and Druktemaker, we set up a livestream. That was very important for us to keep the fans engaged." It worked. The livestream attracted around 10,000 viewers per match. Van Eck: "MEE & De Wering provided the livestream, lighting, and sound, among other things, and received support from Druktemaker and Kbaal with graphics, animations, and additional cameras."“

One of the newest projects is Community Heroes 0223, led by Dutch international Janis Ndiba Boonstra. Young people can register as a team to achieve a social goal. Youth workers and elite athletes will guide five teams of local heroes to achieve their goals.

Basketball Temple

By playing well and being visible, Den Helder SUNS are a calling card for the city. And starting next season, that calling card will get even more attention. Van Eck: "After years at Sportlaan, we're moving to Quelderduijn. I can't say too much about it yet, but it will truly be a basketball arena. We'll be able to welcome spectators and teams from all over the Netherlands. This is another way for us to showcase what Den Helder has to offer."“

More information about The Suns can be found at: denheldersuns.nl

The above interview was written by Yanaika Zomer