Sports clubs in the province of Antwerp gained over 1,000 new members last year, bringing the total to a record-breaking 418,495 athletes.
A notable trend is the growing participation among those aged 60 and older, who now account for one-sixth of all members.
The data comes from the Flemish Sports Federation (VSF), the umbrella organisation for sports federations and clubs in Flanders. The rise in older athletes continues a trend that has been ongoing since 2015, with a 44% increase in the demographic over that period. Older athletes in Antwerp are also the most loyal in Flanders, maintaining an average membership of seven years, according to the VSF.
Antwerp boasts the most cycling and recreational biking clubs in Flanders, with 1,072 clubs, making them the largest category of sports organisations in the province. Football clubs rank second, with 837 registered. On average, Antwerp’s sports clubs have 96 members each.
“The fact that so many people in Antwerp—both young and old—are joining sports clubs shows that as a society, we are increasingly focused on our health,” said Pieter Hoof, general director of the VSF. “Sports clubs are not just about physical activity; they are also places where friendships form, social bonds strengthen, and fun is a priority.”
However, the growing popularity of the sports sector in Flanders comes with challenges, Hoof acknowledged. Many clubs are reaching the limits of their infrastructure and the availability of (volunteer) staff. The VSF is advocating for reduced administrative burdens and the introduction of flexible job opportunities within the sector to address these issues.
