History

SITHOC is a sports association that was established in the early 1940s by the brothers of Tilburg at the Sint Thomas College (hence the name Si-tho-c). SITHOC was established to promote and stimulate the practice of different sports among our school kids.

In 1949, the swimming division was founded at the Rif pool under the leadership of Mr. Bennie Leito. The first few years Mr. Leito was an instructor, coach, board member and everything else for the association. Mr. Leito scouted for talent among the kids who swam and played water polo in their spare time, known as “mucha di Bennie”.

Mr. Leito received several recognitions for his lifetime achievements:

• Medal of honor from the order of Oranje Nassau

• A place in our local Hall Of Fame at the CSF

• Rif pool is now named "Pisina Bennie Leito"

• Mr. Leito was an honorary member of our association

Previously all sections of SITHOC functioned under the statutes of the parent association, each section had its own board with no autonomy. In the general meeting of 1981, the swimming division decided to create an independent association. In 1985 the statutes of Sithoc Zwem Vereniging was approved by the governor of the Netherlands Antilles.