When Michelle Lesh moved to Amsterdam from Switzerland in 2021, she knew exactly where to find her community. The 47-year-old energy executive headed straight to De Hoop, one of the country's oldest rowing clubs on the Amstel River, and hasn't looked back since.

"Every time I move I find a sports club," Lesh explains warmly. "It's the quickest way to build community." And she's discovered something beautiful about Dutch sports culture: it's designed for exactly this kind of connection.

What makes sports clubs in the Netherlands special isn't just the exercise—it's everything that happens around it. The coffee afterward. The volunteers who become friends. The trust that builds week after week as you work together toward common goals. Lesh, who speaks what she laughingly calls "rowing" Dutch, has found that the sport transcends language barriers. "Rowing is rowing. The words may be different, but the sport is the same."

The results have been remarkable. Through her rowing club, Lesh has built a strong professional network, made genuine friendships, and seamlessly integrated into Dutch society—even learning to navigate the healthcare system through fellow rowers who simply wanted to help a teammate.

Her student Jefferson Gomes, a 33-year-old from Brazil, shares similar enthusiasm. "I decided to join the rowing club because I wanted to pick up a sport and feel more integrated into the community. It turned out to be a great decision," he beams. Summer rowing on the Amstel, club events, and volunteering at competitions have enriched his life in ways he never expected.

This volunteer spirit pulses through Dutch sports clubs, creating something deeper than mere membership. At VRA Cricket Amsterdam, board member Theo Lindemann has witnessed this magic for 35 years. The man who first invited him to the club remains one of his best friends today, and they've traveled the world playing cricket together—from Cape Town to Goa to Philadelphia.

"The clubhouse serves as a socializing spot to meet people outside of work and family," Lindemann explains. With 450 members compared to the 2,500 at larger hockey clubs, everyone contributes. They tend the grass pitches, work behind the bar, and maintain their beloved pavilion together. During COVID, when many couldn't reach their offices, volunteers transformed this into an opportunity—renovating their newly purchased clubhouse while construction work was still permitted.

For Prasun Bannerjee, who moved from Calcutta in 2017, VRA has been nothing short of life-changing. "The social part is very interesting to me," says the 45-year-old systems engineer. "A game, some beer, a few bitterballen and a chat." About half the club's members come from India or Pakistan, creating a beautiful cricket diaspora that mixes seamlessly with Dutch locals.

The club offers both competitive and social leagues, ensuring there's space for everyone—whether you're chasing championships or simply chasing connection. Different ages, skill levels, and backgrounds come together, united by love of the game and the friendships that blossom around it.

As Lesh observes, Dutch culture actively encourages adults to join sports clubs, making it normal and expected—not something you have to seek out. "You're kind of expected to stay for a coffee," she smiles. "It's a more holistic experience."

In 2026, that holistic experience awaits anyone ready to take the plunge into community, friendship, and perhaps a sport they'll love for life.