HERA United sets a milestone as the first women-only professional club in Dutch football

HERA United will become the first professional club in the Netherlands fully dedicated to women to join professional football. The club has been granted permission to take over Telstar’s women’s football license and compete in the Eredivisie. This marks the first time the country will have a club that focuses not only on the sporting side, but also organizationally and administratively, entirely on women.

HERA will make its debut on September 7 with an away match against AZ at the highest level of Dutch football. The first home match, against PEC Zwolle, is scheduled for September 21. Most home games will be played at AFC in Amsterdam, which accommodates about 3,000 spectators, with the more important, larger games to be played at the Olympic stadium in Amsterdam-Zuid. The club is also exploring the possibility of having its own facility in the future.

Founded in 2020, the Amsterdam-based club’s mission is to give women a central role in every layer of the organization: from the board and technical staff to medical support and the youth academy. By entering the Eredivisie, HERA United hopes to set a new standard in Dutch women’s football.

“We are incredibly proud of everyone who has unconditionally supported us over the past years in making our mission possible,” said general director Susan van Geenen. “First and foremost, we thank our HERAs for their patience and trust. They are our first team players, HERA Jong, and the players from our joint youth academy. We are also grateful to our dedicated colleagues, committed investors, partners, and sponsors, and in particular to the Telstar organization, whose foundation we are privileged to build upon.”

According to the independent licensing committee of the KNVB, HERA United meets all the requirements for professional football organizations in the Netherlands. “We can’t wait to contribute to a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive football industry,” said Van Geenen.

From a sporting perspective, the club’s first-season goal is to secure its place in the Eredivisie, while putting strong emphasis on the development of young talent. HERA is working with several amateur clubs in Amsterdam to improve the pathway for girls to reach the top. In addition, the club is committed to social projects focused on equal opportunities and visibility for women in sports.

With the arrival of HERA United, the Eredivisie Vrouwen will feature 12 clubs next season.