Netherlands: Tonsser, Eredivisie partnership
July 3, 2023
Tonsser and Eredivisie Media Marketing (EMM), have announced a 5-year partnership between the youth football app and the joint venture of The Walt Disney Company, Eredivisie and KNVB.
The strategic collaboration brings together the expertise and philosophy of Tonsser with EMM’s owned network ESPN to build a united community for the next generation of footballers and create opportunities for youth players across all levels in The Netherlands
With more than 1.7 million young football players on the app, Tonsser is a popular platform and especially well-adopted in countries like France, Switzerland, and England. The app allows players to capture their performances and videos, engage with teammates, prepare for opponents, compete for rankings and awards and access opportunities with clubs and academies. The Tonsser app is linked to the Voetbal.nl app and will be provided with the official amateur football data feed to
provide the best experience for youth players and the most accurate data output for the player community, coaches, clubs and scouts.
Players using the Tonsser app can through their registered performances on the app also be selected for different experiential and aspirational opportunities. Among these are Tonsser United; a new type of football club that Tonsser has created to give opportunities to grassroot and unsigned players to play for Tonsser United teams, attend trials and showcases. More than 2,000 youth players, selected from data on the app, have played for Tonsser United and played matches against established clubs like PSG, Fulham and Lyon, and up to 25 per cent of the participating players per event have been on trials or signed afterwards.
The EMM and Tonsser partnership centres around a long-term vision to empower youth players, create a more connected youth ecosystem and create new motivation for teenagers to start and keep playing football. ESPN will support and power the Tonsser app and community including co-creating player opportunities, educational experiences, and inspiring storytelling. Always from the interest of creating better and more motivating conditions for young football players to keep practicing the sport.
Marco de Ruiter, on behalf of Management Board of Eredivisie Media Marketing, commented: “With the launch of Tonsser in the Netherlands we are bringing a unique platform for a new generation of fans and players to enjoy. Dreams and aspirations are where it all begins and Tonsser will help to further encourage and develop each player’s talent. With ESPN we’ll be able to create unique content and give youth football a new opportunity to showcase their performance. And by doing so, create added value to organised Dutch football as a whole”.
Peter Holm, Co-founder and CO-CEO of Tonsser, added: “We are thrilled to join forces with EMM and contribute to create better conditions for young footballers in The Netherlands. By leveraging our platform’s capabilities and working hand-in-hand with EMM and its partners, we are excited to unlock new pathways for aspiring players and elevate the already great Dutch youth football ecosystem to new heights. I would like to thank the forward- thinking team at EMM for believing in Tonsser and taking important leadership to power youth football innovation.”