Top-level Sports Community Playground
Topsport Community Playground: out of your routine, into your playing field
Team HeadFirst Group
Takea break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life withTeam HeadFirst Group . Last week, we joined the Topsport Community Playground, we entered the iconic Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam for an afternoon focused on trying, falling, learning, and growing. Back to the child in yourself.
Playground is not a standard event; it is an intimate session in which you approach your life as a playing field. A safe space where you can experiment and discover what really suits you, both in your work and beyond.
Small choices, big impact
The meaning of Playground became clear in the stories of Nicolien Sauerbreij, Irene Schouten, and Maarten Meiners. They recounted how their drive developed at a young age: wanting to improve, wanting to be the best, and consciously training differently. By trying out multiple sports and disciplines, playing, and experimenting, they maintained their enjoyment and developed more quickly. It was precisely this differential training that laid the foundation for their growth as top athletes, a mindset in which ambition and play go hand in hand.
Small choices, big impact
Together with Ernst-Jan Pfauth, author of Intentional Living, we delved into making conscious choices. Not grand life plans, but rather the power of small steps. With humor, courage, and room to experiment. Because growth doesn't have to be grand or difficult, as long as you make honest choices.
Then it was time for Full Body Thinking with Wouter de Jong. An approach that combines neuroscience, breathing, systemic work, and schema therapy. Not only understanding why you do what you do, but also really feeling it. Through practical exercises, patterns shifted from "thinking" to "doing," step by step.
Making more conscious choices, every day
Aikido coach Johan Lodder brought East and West together and showed how inner strength, vitality, and authenticity reinforce each other. Less forcing, more moving with the flow. A mindset that works not only in top-level sports, but also in the workplace and in everyday life.
Led by Diana Matroos, it was an afternoon full of insights and practical tools. Tools that you can apply immediately, whether you are a recruiter, manager, or somewhere in between. Because at Team HeadFirst Group, we believe that you become better at your job when you also invest in yourself as a person.
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
HYROX Utrecht
HYROX Utrecht
Team HeadFirst Group
Sport and pushing boundaries together are deeply ingrained in the DNA of Team HeadFirst Group. We demonstrated this once again during HYROX Utrecht, where colleagues from different parts of the organization took on the challenge together.
What is HYROX?
HYROX is not your standard sporting event. It is a tough combination of running and functional workouts. The format is simple, but anything but easy: 1 kilometer of running, followed by a strenuous exercise. And that eight times in a row. Think of exercises such as the ski erg, sled push and pull, burpee broad jumps, sandbag lunges, and farmers carry. It requires fitness, strength, and mental resilience.
We showed up at the start with four mixed teams, made up of colleagues from different departments. Just the way we like it: training together, pushing ourselves together, and supporting each other through it all, regardless of job title or department.
What made the evening extra special? Colleagues standing on the sidelines to cheer us on. High fives, cheers, and motivational words gave us that little bit of extra energy during the tough moments. This is where team spirit really comes to life.
Pushing boundaries
Our teams went full throttle and showed perseverance, but above all, they had a lot of fun. Colleagues stepped out of their comfort zone and showed what happens when you push boundaries together. It wasn't about times or performance, but about sharing experiences, motivating each other, and being proud of what you achieve together.
And this leaves us wanting more. Keep an eye on us, because there are plenty more sporting and networking events coming up. Hopefully, we will see even more colleagues at the starting line next year. On to the next one!
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
Top sports community live! 2025
Top Sports Community Live! Top sports, science and business in one
Team HeadFirst Group
What happens when sports, science and business come together? Well ... exactly what we at Team HeadFirst Group like to see: energy, inspiration and new ideas that you want to work with immediately. In a packed AFAS Theater in Leusden 750 visitors were ready for an evening that was completely dedicated to the annual theme of 2025: Focus. With Peter Heerschop talking with humor and flair, as only he can.
Heroes on stage
The evening started surprisingly quiet. Writer Arthur van den Boogaard read a passage from Waterfeeling and immediately set the tone: attention, concentration, being completely in the moment. Then professor of brain science Erik Scherder took over. With his familiar energy and clarity, he explained how our brains deal with focus and why that is the key to top performance, both in sports and in the workplace.
Coaches Evangelos Doudesis, Eelco Meenhorst and Laurens ten Dam then showed how they take teams to the top: with clear goals, crystal clear communication and an eye for the individual. Exactly the way we also work together within Team HeadFirst Group. Musician Tim Knol then provided goose bump moments with his own songs and some classics.
From stress to focus
Noortje and Bregje de Brouwer (Olympic bronze in synchronized swimming) allowed the audience a glimpse into their world of timing, strength and perfect cooperation. While Scherder explained how to turn stress into focus, Femke Heemskerk, Marit Bouwmeester and Duco Telgenkamp shared concrete examples from their careers. Recognizable, honest and above all: super inspiring.
The finale was for none other than Ireen Wüst, the most successful Dutch Olympian of all time. Her secret? Daring to look again every four years at what drove her and adjusting that drive each time. Always learning, always improving. A mindset we at HeadFirst Group can only appreciate.
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
Challenge accepted: make local talent global
Challenge Accepted: make local talent global
Team HeadFirst Group
How do you really help talent grow? That was the central question during the Topsport Community Challenge, in the iconic Omnisport Apeldoorn, and coincidentally also a question that we at HeadFirst Group deal with every day.
Omnisport is no ordinary venue. It is a place where track cyclists like Harry Lavreysen train hard for gold and where athletes like Lieke Klaver and Femke Bol push their limits. That top sports mentality, always wanting to improve and going for the best result together, comes to life there. That ideal setting and exactly what appeals to us at HeadFirst Group.
The right ingredients
During the Challenge, the partners of the Topsport Community came together to explore how to recruit, retain and develop talent. Because let's face it: that is one of the biggest challenges of our time. No organization is the same; culture, leadership and personal drives all play a role. So there is no blueprint, but there are ingredients that work.
From HeadFirst Group, Claudia, Martijn, Britt and Rogier from our People & Culture team went to work with one common learning objective: how can we make talent development within our organization even stronger? Guided by former top athletes and coaches, they discovered new insights about leadership, cooperation and growth. Together with the other partners, they presented their plans, received honest feedback and immediately translated that into concrete action.
Develop yourself at HeadFirst Group
For us, talent development goes beyond a nice word on paper. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to grow - in knowledge, in skills, but also as people. Just like in top sports, it's about setting goals, daring to ask for feedback, challenging each other and celebrating successes.
At HeadFirst Group, you get plenty of room for that. Whether you're a recruiter, marketer or data analyst. We challenge you to keep improving yourself. We offer education and training, but also space to learn in practice: by working with inspiring colleagues, taking responsibility and experimenting with new ideas.
Growing together
The Topsport Community Challenge gave us an additional sense of why we think this is so important. Talent only really grows when you invest in the right environment: a place where trust, ambition and fun come together. We left Omnisport with concrete plans and a clear goal: to support our colleagues even better in their development. Because growing talent, locally and internationally, is top sport. And we at HeadFirst Group are proud of that every day.
Do you also want to work in an environment where growth, energy and team spirit are key?
Amsterdam Half Marathon
In action at the Amsterdam half marathon
Team HeadFirst Group
Last Sunday we were at the start of the Half Marathon of Amsterdam with a large group of HeadFirst Group colleagues! One of the most beautiful and popular running events in the Netherlands, with a course that runs right through the city, from the Olympic Stadium to the Amstel River and back again. The atmosphere was fantastic: thousands of runners, enthusiastic spectators along the route and a sun that played along just right.
Top performance
While at the full marathon the Kenyan Kipchumba made history with a new course record, Team HeadFirst Group also put in a top performance. We finished 13th out of 250 participating companies during the half marathon. A result we are extremely proud of! With top times within our ranks, such as an impressive 1 hour and 23 minutes, we showed that perseverance, focus and teamwork also come together perfectly outside the workplace.
At HeadFirst Group we strongly believe in the importance of vitality. Not only because sports is good for your body, but also because it contributes to your mental fitness and energy at work. Playing sports together also strengthens the bond between colleagues, something we clearly felt this weekend. Along the route it was one big party of colleagues encouraging each other, laughing together and helping each other through the difficult kilometers. That closeness is exactly what makes our culture so special.
One step better every day
And as with any athletic challenge, we learned something new. About perseverance, how to deal with a dip halfway through or how far you can get if you keep motivating each other. Because in the end that is what it is all about: growing together, making each other better, step by step. Learn Everyday in optima forma.
The muscle pain has now set in. Some walked down the stairs on Monday a little stiffer than usual, but the feeling of pride prevails. Proud of our team, of the performance, of the cooperation and energy that we put down together. This experience shows that vitality is not just something we find important, but something we really live at HeadFirst Group. It tastes like more, on to the next sportive challenge with Team HeadFirst Group!
Become part of Team HeadFirst Group and run with us next year!
Premier Padel
Colleagues pick up wins at Premier Padel!
Team HeadFirst Group
At HeadFirst Group, we do love a challenge. Therefore, together with the partners of the Topsport Community, we were on the court during Premier Padel Rotterdam, the biggest padel tournament in the Netherlands. Here the best players in the world compete for the title. While the world's best were preparing for their matches in Ahoy, we played our own tournament on a court next door. A unique experience, right in the middle of the atmosphere of top sport. Because just like on the work floor at HeadFirst Group, it's all about cooperation, connecting and getting a little better every day.
In addition to the world's top
While on center court the world's top players, such as Federico Chingotto & Alejandro Galán and Agustín Tapia & Arturo Coello (who eventually went home with the win), were getting ready for matches, we played our own tournament. The atmosphere was there right away: fanatical rallies, lots of smiling faces and plenty of energy on the court. You can tell that the Topsport Community partners have the same mindset as we do at HeadFirst Group.
The finals of our own competition provided spectacle, and it was extra nice to see our colleagues win prizes. They went home with a personalized racket. After playing sports, we had dinner together, laughed and talked afterwards with sports icons such as Pieter van den Hoogenband, Marit Bouwmeester, John van Lottum and Fatima Moreiro de Melo. A perfect mix of sports, connection and fun, just the way we like to see it at Team HeadFirst Group.
Shared elite sports mentality
What made this evening extra special was the top sports mentality that was palpable everywhere. By standing among such inspiring athletes, you realize how important focus, discipline and cooperation are. Values that also make the difference for us. In the aftermovie, our colleague Duco beautifully explains how this top-class sports mentality fits in seamlessly with our growth ambition: getting better together, continuing to learn and taking on new challenges with courage. Whether on the work floor or on the padel court, at HeadFirst Group you always go for the win!
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
From desk to obstacle course: colleagues brave Mud Masters
From desk to obstacle course: colleagues brave Mud Masters
Mud Masters 2025 | Haarlemmermeer
Together through the mud: this is how we do it at Team HeadFirst Group
A temperature of 30 degrees, gallons of mud and dozens of obstacles - that may sound like hard work, but for us it was mostly enjoyment. With 37 colleagues from HeadFirst Group we were at the start of Mud Masters Haarlemmermeer 2025. Spread over 6 and 12 kilometers, we braved slippery slopes, crawl tunnels, ice baths and rope constructions. Together. Because at Team HeadFirst Group you don't push boundaries on your own.
Collaborate
This day was about more than just physical challenge. It was about helping, motivating and encouraging each other - exactly what Connecting People, one of our core values, is all about. In our striking Team HeadFirst Group shirts, we dragged each other through the toughest parts. Not for nothing do we say: we dare to win.
Top sportsmanship on and off the job
Besides the sweat and sore muscles, this day provided a lot of energy above all. Energy that we also put into our work. Because within HeadFirst Group we believe that the power of sports - perseverance, team spirit, focus - fits perfectly with the way we work and grow. That is also why we Team HeadFirst Group created: a program that connects colleagues through sports, health and shared experiences.
Also part of HeadFirst Group?
Davy van den Berg at HeadFirst Group on top sports and Ramadan
Davy van den Berg on top sports, faith and Ramadan at HeadFirst Group
At HeadFirst Group, we believe in the power of diversity and the importance of understanding different cultures and traditions. Seeing the world through the eyes of others expands your perspective, strengthens our interconnectedness and creates an inclusive work environment.
With this in mind, we organized an Iftar March 13, where colleagues came together to break the fast during Ramadan. Davy van den Berg, captain of premier league club PEC-Zwolle was present to give his insight on top sports and Ramadan.
PEC Zwolle captain Davy van den Berg shares his experience
As an elite athlete, Ramadan requires extra discipline and adaptability. Davy van den Berg shared his personal experience about his conversion to Islam and how he deals with fasting as a professional soccer player. He explained how he maintains his energy level and how his club supports him in this. A unique insight into the combination of top sports and faith, where physical and mental strength go hand in hand.
In addition to Davy's inspiring words, Imam Mohamed Abdulahi gave an engaging explanation of the meaning of Ramadan and the core values within Islam. Colleagues then tested their knowledge in an interactive Ramadan quiz, with the winner going home with an autographed shirt from Davy van den Berg.
After the inspiring stories, it was time to enjoy a traditional Iftar meal together. Top sport is all about teamwork, and this evening was no different. Colleagues - even from Belgium - came together, shared experiences and learned more about each other's backgrounds.
"Society is changing, and there is now more attention to athletes participating in Ramadan. At PEC Zwolle, fasting players can sleep longer and retire, while for the past two years the KNVB has stopped matches briefly at sunset so players can eat and drink."
Be part of HeadFirst Group?
This initiative came directly from our colleagues and was enthusiastically supported by the DE&I task force. A great example of how we at HeadFirst Group bring our core values of Learn everyday and Connecting people to life!
At HeadFirst Group, working is not only about performance, but also about growing together, connecting and gaining new experiences. Initiatives like this Iftar show that we are an organization where everyone can be themselves and where there is room for diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Would you also like to work at an organization where inclusiveness and connection are key? Take a look at our vacancies and become part of our team!
First HeadFirst Group - Best of Champions great success!
First HeadFirst Group - Best of Champions great success!
March 13, 2025 was the day: the first edition of the HeadFirst Group - Best of Champions during The Dutch Masters in the Brabanthallen! A unique evening where top sport, networking and our visibility as HeadFirst Group came together.
After more than 10 years of absence, together with The Dutch Masters, we brought back the iconic horse exchange format. Four absolute top riders - Willem Greve, Henrik von Eckermann, Philipp Weishaupt and Maikel van der Vleuten competed not only on their own horses, but also on those of their competitors.
Greve champion, Cupid outstanding
In an exciting final, Willem Greve was crowned the Best of Champions! With a combination of technique, speed and precision, Greve proved his class and earned the coveted title. Also an honorable mention for Cupido, Philipp Weishaupt's horse, who stayed clear all evening under all four riders and did not touch a single beam. A true achievement!
Enjoying together at The Dutch Masters
What makes our work at HeadFirst Group so special? The people! And we brought them together during this event. We were present with a large group of colleagues in the stands to encourage the riders and enjoy the great atmosphere. Striive was also well represented with zzp'ers, strategic partners and suppliers. A perfect opportunity to strengthen relationships and enjoy top sport together at the highest level!
Be part of HeadFirst Group?
At HeadFirst Group, we try to integrate the lessons of sports into our work. The teamwork and mentality found in sports are also essential to our success in the organization. This event is a perfect example of that. Do you also want to be part of an organization where ambition, collaboration and fun go hand in hand?
Check out our vacancies and who knows, maybe next year you will join us at the HeadFirst Group - Best of Champions!
Second Team HeadFirst Group Padel Tournament
Second Team HeadFirst Group Padel Tournament
At HeadFirst Group, we embrace our core value of Connecting People and bring it to life in our daily work. This was evident during our second padel tournament, where over 90 colleagues took to the court together.
From an instructive clinic for the beginners, to intense and fanatical matches between the more advanced players. Everyone could find his or her sporting challenge here. We also bring this mentality of cooperation, fun and getting the best out of yourself back to our organization. As icing on the cake, Thomas Berge closed the day with a smashing performance.
Be part of Team HeadFirst Group?
At HeadFirst Group, we try to integrate the lessons of sports into our work. The dedication, teamwork and mentality found in sports are also essential to our success in the organization. By embracing these values, we create an environment where we can grow together and give our best both in the workplace and beyond. Interested in working at HeadFrist Group? Check out our job openings.