The Heat-Aware Sports Foundation was established in September 2025 with the goal of preventing heat stress among runners and helping them perform better in the heat. The foundation is a Registered Public Benefit Organisation (ANBI).

Cause

Heat injuries during sports are increasing worldwide. The main causes are risting temperatures and large events with thousands of participants.
Runners – especially those participating in long-distance events – are at risk for heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke.
Our mission is to prevent those heat injuries and help runners perform as well as possible in rising temperatures.

Objective

The foundation aims to drastically reduce heat injuries and improve performance. We do this by promoting knowledge, research and collaboration regarding thermoregulation and heat stress in sports.

Activities

Enlarge
awareness

around thermoregulation, the dangers of heat stress and the impact on performance

Spread
knowledge

on prevention, early recognition and treatment of heat injuries and performance improvements

Stimulate
research

in the field of sports physiology, thermoregulation and performance enhancement

Promote
cooperation

between relevant stakeholders in sports, healthcare and science

The board

Joost Fonville

Chair

Daan Josephus Jitta

Secretary

Paul van den Tempel

Treasurer

Robi Dattatreya

Board member

Frans Fonville

Board member

Main points of the policy plan

  • Goal: Reduce heat injuries, increase awareness of thermoregulation, and help athletes (especially runners) optimise their performance.
  • Activities: Education through workshops and e-learning, event advice on heat protocols, research, campaigns and a dedicated knowledge platform.
  • Target groups: Athletes, associations, organizers, healthcare providers, federations and researchers.
  • Organization: Board (5 members) with an optional advisory board. We seek to collaborate with NOC*NSF, the Dutch Athletics Union, and universities.
  • Finances: The foundation raises funds through grants, donations and sponsors and is not-for-profit.
  • Impact: Fewer incidents, integration of thermoregulation in training and a better link between science and practice.
  • Remuneration policy: Board members do not receive any remuneration for their work.

Activities in 2025

  • 2x ThermoClinic Light workshop given during the KNAU Running Trainers Day (9 Nov 2025)
  • About 30 ThermoClinic workshops throughout the country, at athletics clubs, running groups and companies that participate in running competitions
  • Farewell of Hein Daanen attended
  • Number of meetings organized before the foundation was established and three meetings since the foundation was established

Administrative

  • Name: Heat-aware Sports Foundation
  • RSIN: 868383831
  • Contact details: Johannes Geradtsweg 91, 1222 PN Hilversum
  • ANBI status: yes