From Vienna to the EHL – Growing Hockey Together
6 May 2026
Over the past months, we’ve been working with clubs and partners across Europe to deliver high-quality hockey environments for all levels of play.
The Royal Dutch Hockey Federation and FIKAGEAR proudly announce a partnership for the growth of Hockey 5S in the Netherlands. With this innovative and fast variant of hockey, the KNHB sees great opportunities for Dutch hockey and is therefore joining forces with FIKAGEAR, also a Dutch company and the global market leader in H5S materials.
Hockey 5S: a dynamic game format for the new generation
KNHB Sports Innovator Boukje Smeets indicates that H5S is a dynamic and accessible hockey variant where the target group is young people aged 16 to 24. It offers an ultimate mix of speed, action, and entertainment and caters to the needs of this target group. The game is characterized by short, intensive matches and tournaments, making it a welcome addition to the regular hockey offerings.
In 2025, the KNHB H5S introduces the Rabo City League. In three major cities – Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Utrecht – tournaments are being organized for young people between the ages of 16 and 24, giving them the chance to experience this innovative game format. In addition, the KNHB is touring the country with the Rabo Clubtour to introduce H5S to clubs in an accessible way.
Innovative materials from FIKAGEAR
To support the further development of H5S in the Netherlands, the KNHB has entered into a partnership with FIKAGEAR. FIKAGEAR offers two high-quality FIH-approved boarding systems:
FIKAGEAR materials are designed with durability, ease of use, and maximum playing fun in mind. They have also been tested and approved in accordance with FIH standards regarding ball bounce and player safety. Both boarding systems ensure that the fast and dynamic nature of H5S is fully realized, allowing players to enjoy the intensity and energy of the game to the fullest. Moreover, the flexible structure of the composite variant makes it possible to play H5S anywhere, from sports parks to city squares and event grounds.
Arnoud Fiolet, partner in FIKAGEAR:
The H5S development is unstoppable. We see a multitude of reasons, both nationally and internationally, to embrace this sport. Five years ago, FIKAGEAR was at the forefront of this reintroduction of H5S with this fixed format and was also the first FIH partner. As a Dutch company, we are very proud to add the KNHB as one of our federation partners. Working together in-house to give hockey a lasting boost for the future. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Future H5S
The KNHB and FIKAGEAR expect H5S to take off significantly in the coming years. The Rabo Club Tour and the Rabo City League will be further expanded in 2026, and H5S will have a prominent place during the 2026 World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The KNHB is pleased with this collaboration and looks forward to a future in which, alongside the regular hockey offerings, H5S is played throughout the Netherlands using FIKAGEAR’s innovative materials.
About FIKAGEAR
Based in Valkenswaard and founded in 2017, FIKAGEAR is a partner of the FIH, Eurohockey, and now also the KNHB, as well as the Belgian, French, Austrian, Swiss, Bulgarian, Maltese, American, Danish, Swedish, Czech, and Chilean hockey federations. FIKAGEAR’s mission is to grow hockey by providing better and more affordable hockey equipment.
Over the past months, we’ve been working with clubs and partners across Europe to deliver high-quality hockey environments for all levels of play.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced a new partnership with RSI Sports Group and our FIKAGEAR brand, as an official FIH Academy Partner. This
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced a new partnership with RSI Sports Group and our FIKAGEAR brand, as an official FIH Academy Partner. This