During the Dutch Ballet Gala organised by Dansersfonds '79, the Encouragement Award  2025 was granted to Sven de Wilde, who graduated from the Dutch National Ballet Academy in 2022. The festive evening took place on 24 November 2025 at the DeLaMar Theatre in Amsterdam.

The jury said of Sven de Wilde:
‘For his elegance, his excellent technique, his integrity in approaching every role and as a fun and outstanding partner. As a jury, we are very curious to see what else Sven has in store as a dancer and how he will develop in the coming years. We hope that the Encouragement Award, which we are delighted to present to him, will be an extra incentive for him to continue his efforts and to profile himself even more powerfully and confidently within the corps de ballet – and who knows, perhaps one day the soloist ranks – of the Dutch National Ballet.’

About Sven de Wilde:
Sven found his passion for dancing at the age of 4, when he took up competitive tap dancing in New Zealand, where he lived at that time. Upon moving back to The Netherlands at the age of 9, Sven auditioned and began his professional training at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam. He participated in multiple productions by Dutch National Ballet, such as Don Quichot, Swan Lake, Nutcracker and Mouse King and Cinderella. Later, Sven transferred to The Royal Conservatory in The Hague, where he finished his secondary education. Following his graduation from The Royal Conservatory, he returned to The Dutch National Ballet Academy where he began an Associate Degree in Classical Ballet which he completed in 2022.

Read more on the website of Dansersfonds '79