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2. VIRTUAL SPORT COMMUNITIES:
INTERNET DATING AND PARTICIPATION IN SPORT
Wilko de Graaf & Jan Janssens
Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences
School of Sports and Nutrition
Department of Sports, Management and Business
March 2010
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3. Topics
• Introduction
• Virtual sportdating communities
• Facts and figures sportdating
• Conclusions and considerations
• Future research
• Discussion
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4. School of Sports and Nutrition
Department of Sports, Management and Business
Amsterdam 4

5. Topics
• Introduction
• Virtual sportdating communities
• Facts and figures sportdating
• Conclusions and considerations
• Future research
• Discussion
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6. Virtual sportdating communities
Definition:
A virtual community that enables members to find local sports partners, sports
teams, sports facilities and/or sports events in any kind of sports.
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11. Virtual communities
Model 1: A typology of virtual communities
Porter, 2004, p4
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12. Virtual sportdating communities: Netherlands
Community Members (as of March 3rd, 2010)
http://www.sportpartner.nl 10.150
http://www.beweegmaatje.nl 9.500
http://www.jouwbeweegmaatje.nl 4.050
http://www.activetogether.nl 1.800
http://www.sportmatching.nl 850
http://www.sportmaatjes.nl 80
http://www.sportdating.nl no data available
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17. Virtual sportdating communities: Characteristics
Characteristic Sportpartner Beweegmaatje Jouwbeweegmaatje ActiveTogether
Members (per March 3rd) 10.150 9.500 4.050 1.800
Active members 43% (per 14.4.10) No data No data No data
Type of virtual Organization Organization Members initiatied Members initiated
community (Porter) sponsored sponsored
Commercial Non profit Social - volunteers Social - volunteers
Fee No entrance fee No fees No fees No fees
Monthly
intermediation fee
Communication • Direct messages • Direct messages • Direct messages • Direct messages
between members thru • Chat • Forum
Intermediation focus at • Sports partners • Sports partners • Sports partners • Sports partners
• Sports teams • Sports teams
• Sports events
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18. Topics
• Introduction
• Virtual sportdating communities
• Facts and figures sportdating
• Conclusions and considerations
• Future research
• Discussion
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19. Sportdating communities: Sports Profile Characteristics
Sports Sportpartner Beweegmaatje Jouwbeweegmaatje ActiveTogether
Bike riding 16% 11% 22% 14%
Dance 13% 3% 0% 9%
Fitness 10% 14% 18% 0%
Golf 2% 1% 0% 1%
Running 11% 10% 11% 27%
Skeeler/Skating 4% 1% 2% 2%
Squash 5% 2% 3% 7%
Swimming 8% 5% 0% 0%
Tennis 7% 3% 3% 7%
Walking 21% 31% 18% 13%
Other 4% 19% 21% 20%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 19
(10.150) (9.500) (4.050) (1.800)

20. Sports participation - gender
Gender Dutch Members Members Members Members
sporting sports clubs Fitness Centers Beweegmaatje.nl Sportpartner.nl
population 1) 2) 3)
Male 51% 68% 46% 24% 38%
Female 49% 32% 54% 76% 62%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
N= 10.000.000 4.800.000 3.750.000 4) 9.500 10.150
1) Rapportage Sport 2008, Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau / W.J.H. Mulier Instituut, Den Haag, december 2008, p77 (RSO norm > 12x per year)
2) Members NOC/NSF over 2008, NOC/NSF, p3
3) “Ontspannen door inspannen; een landelijk consumentenonderzoek naar het huidige en toekomstige gebruik van fitness- en wellnesscentra in
Nederland”, Nederlands Research Instituut voor Recreatie en Toerisme, 2007
4) Rapportage Sport 2008, Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau / W.J.H. Mulier Instituut, Den Haag, december 2008 (22% of Dutch population excersised > 1
time a year) 20

21. Sports participation - age
Gender Dutch Members Members Members Members
sporting sports clubs Fitness Centers Beweegmaatje.nl Sportpartner.nl
population 1) 2) 3)
0-17 22% 19% 0% 0%
18-24 8% 7% 8% 4) 15% 4)
74%
25-34 15% 11% 19% 22%
35-44 18% 17% 22% 22%
45-64 27% 33% 45% 37%
26% 5)
65+ 11% 12% 6% 5%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
N= 10.000.000 4.800.000 3.750.000 9.500 10.150
1) Rapportage Sport 2008, Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau / W.J.H. Mulier Instituut, Den Haag, december 2008, p77 (RSO norm > 12x per year)
2) Members NOC/NSF over 2008, NOC/NSF, p3
3) Fitness Branche in beeld 2008, resultaat van de Fitness Monitor 2008, W.J.H. Mulier Instituut, Nieuwegein en Den Bosch, 2008
4) Category is 15-24 years
5) Category is 56 years + 21

22. Motivation for performing sports activities
Prime motive Dutch sporting Members
population 1) Beweegmaatje.nl
An active lifestyle is 30% 39%
healthy
Losing weight 4% 54% 9% 70%
Getting in a better shape 20% 22%
Social reasons 32% 25%
Other reasons 2) 14% 5%
Totaal 100% 100%
N= 30.100 9.500
1) Sportersmonitor 2008, W.J.H. Mulier Instituut, Den Haag, 2008 (RSO norm > 12x per year)
2) Other reasons such as “I can’t live without sports”, “sports is inexpensive”, “limited travel needed”, “adequate accomodations”, “provides status”
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23. Topics
• Introduction
• Virtual sportdating communities
• Facts and figures sportdating
• Conclusions and considerations
• Future research
• Discussion
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24. At first sight…
• Fragmentation in supply
• Small niche in market of sports
• Limited succes intermediation
• Limited impact on participation in sports
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25. But…
• Growing use and possibilities of internet
• Regular internet dating rather successfull
• Sportsmarket is growing and in motion
• Need for sportbuddies
• Elimination and cooperation communities
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27. Topics
• Introduction
• Virtual sportdating communities
• Facts and figures sportdating
• Conclusions and considerations
• Future research
• Discussion
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28. Future Research
• Desk research
• Survey
• Interviews
• Participatory research
• International comparisons
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29. Topics
• Introduction
• Virtual sportdating communities
• Facts and figures sportdating
• Conclusions and considerations
• Future research
• Discussion
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30. Any Questions?
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31. Twitter:
@Wilko_de_Graaf
@JWJanssens
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