Spieren voor Spieren has been named the Dutch winner of the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award, with a €100,000 donation set to support children living with muscular diseases across the Netherlands.
The announcement was made during the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2026, which is taking place at Circuit Zandvoort from 21–23 August.
The award recognises the Dutch charity’s work using sport to promote inclusion, empowerment and positive change for children and families affected by muscular diseases.
The €100,000 donation from Formula 1 partner Allwyn will help support Spieren voor Spieren Day, an annual event that gives children with muscular diseases and their families the opportunity to take part in sport, games and new experiences in a safe and inclusive environment.
Supporting Children Living With Muscular Diseases
Spieren voor Spieren works to improve the lives of children affected by muscular diseases through funding research, supporting earlier diagnoses and innovative treatments, and helping children remain active through sport and physical activity programmes.
According to the organisation, around 20,000 children in the Netherlands are living with the effects of muscular diseases, which can impact everyday activities including walking, playing and breathing independently.
The charity was founded in 1998 by the Dutch national football team and has since grown into a major organisation supporting children with muscular diseases, with backing from elite and Olympic athletes.
Find Out More About Spieren Voor Spieren
€100,000 Donation Will Support Spieren voor Spieren Day
The award funding will help strengthen and expand Spieren voor Spieren Day, which is set to take place on 30 August.
The event welcomes around 600 participants, bringing children with muscular diseases and their families together for a day centred around movement, fun and empowerment.
This year’s theme, “Everything Upside Down”, is designed to celebrate unexpected experiences and encourage children to step outside their comfort zones. Activities will include sport, climbing, dancing and opportunities to meet elite athletes and make new friends.
Monique Maks, director of Spieren voor Spieren, said the award will help demonstrate that supporting children with muscular diseases goes beyond medical research and treatment.
“Because this is about more than medical breakthroughs — being part of everyday life matters just as much.”
A Special Connection With Formula 1
Spieren voor Spieren already has a longstanding relationship with Formula 1, with young ambassadors from the organisation regularly attending Grand Prix weekends with their families.
For children whose lives can often revolve around medical appointments, treatments and physical challenges, attending an F1 race provides an opportunity to experience the excitement of the sport and become part of the wider Formula 1 community.
The organisation’s young ambassadors can enjoy the spectacle of a race weekend alongside their families, shifting the focus away from their everyday limitations and towards shared experiences, excitement and possibility.
The partnership is particularly fitting given Formula 1’s focus on using its global platform to support communities and create opportunities through sport.
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Formula 1 and Allwyn Champion Inclusion
Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1 and a judge for the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award, said:
“At Formula 1 we recognise that sport has the unique power to inspire and connect children, families, and communities.”
She added that Spieren voor Spieren’s work reflects Formula 1’s commitment to inclusion and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate in sport.
Aleš Veselý, CEO of Allwyn Czechia and another award judge, praised the charity’s combination of sport, family engagement and community building.
The F1 Allwyn Global Community Award was created to recognise community initiatives delivering meaningful social impact around Formula 1’s global race calendar. Allwyn’s 2025 annual report notes that the programme awards €100,000 to selected initiatives and uses the reach of F1 to highlight community projects on a global stage.
Ronald de Boer Praises the “Fighting Spirit” of the Children
Former professional footballer and Spieren voor Spieren ambassador Ronald de Boer also highlighted the determination shown by children living with muscular diseases.
“While I fought for titles and trophies, these kids fight every day just to keep up. That takes enormous determination.”
De Boer described the children as embodying the true meaning of fighting spirit, adding that the award will help the charity continue its annual Spieren voor Spieren Day.
Fourth F1 Allwyn Community Award Winner of 2026
Spieren voor Spieren becomes the fourth non-profit organisation to receive the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award in 2026.
It follows the UK’s Starlight Children’s Foundation, Canada’s La Tablée des Chefs, and Austria’s Sindbad Mentoring.
Further organisations are expected to be recognised at upcoming Grand Prix locations in Austin, Mexico City and Las Vegas, with Formula 1 fans set to have the opportunity to vote for their favourite winning initiative later in the year.
The award comes during the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Formula 1 confirmed that 2026 would be the circuit’s final season on the F1 calendar after a one-year extension, bringing the current Dutch Grand Prix chapter to a close.
The 2026 event is also the 40th and final F1 race at Zandvoort, following Formula 1’s return to the circuit in 2021 after a 36-year absence.
For Spieren voor Spieren, however, the €100,000 award represents an opportunity to continue creating meaningful sporting experiences for children and families across the Netherlands — ensuring that the positive impact of sport extends far beyond the racetrack.
