About the Dutch Combat Sports Authority

The Dutch Combat Sports Authority (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, or VA) is the regulator for kickboxing, Thai boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) in the Netherlands. In addition, it is an independent advisory body for municipalities that have questions about these martial arts. The VA is explicitly not an association or promotion and focuses on measures that transcend sports and sports organizations. Matters that cannot be tackled by independent unions and martial arts organizations alone. The VA also monitors the quality of the martial arts organizations. The VA is an associated member of NOC*NSF and a member of the Platform for Enterprising Sports Providers.

At the beginning of this century, several martial arts galas got out of hand. In some events, regular society and underworld were intertwined. Competitions between children also took place without expert supervision. This was partly due to a fragmented organization in the martial arts. There were many small organizations, powerless to change much. One organization had to direct the most important matters. That is why the Dutch Martial Arts Authority was established in 2017. The goal: to achieve and monitor a regulated, healthy, safe and well-organized martial arts industry.

Five assignments were given:

1. One guideline for the organization of full contact martial arts events that is used by all promoters, unions and municipalities
2. Introducing an age limit for competition participation with kicks and punches to the head in youth
3. Introducing one uniform digital competition booklet for all full contact martial artists
4. One licensing system for promoters, trainers, coaches, judges, referees and ring doctors
5. Monitoring the quality of martial arts schools

The Dutch Combat Sports Authority carries out these assignments. It ensures that the combat sports sector applies these measures properly. This is done in collaboration with the government and the martial arts organizations.

The supervisory board of the Dutch Combat Sports Authority supervises the management and developments within the sector. The members come from the government and the sports sector. It is an unpaid position. The members of the Supervisory Board are:

• Jan Rijpstra (chair), mayor of Smallingerland, former member of the House of Representatives of the States General
• Marc Merx, alderman in Dordrecht
• Rob van Bokhoven, Director International Affairs at the Justice Department

The board of the Dutch Combat Sports Authority consists of independent members who have affinity and experience with public administration, supervision of (combat) sports, safety and health. It is an unpaid position. The board consists of:

• Herbert Dekkers (chairman), manager Environmental Service
• Bas Pijnenburg, orthopedic surgeon, ringside physician
• Marcel Scholtes, senior researcher at the Ministry of Justice and Security
• Diederik van Omme, lawyer
• Eric Lagendijk, independent consultant
• Saskia van Rijswijk, psychologisy, HR consulent
• Jan Wirken, economist
• Alexander Scholtes, alderman in Amsterdam

The board is supported by the office of the Dutch Combat Sports Authority. This carries out the day-to-day operations. The agency is led by director Farid Gamei.

The Dutch Combat Sports Authority has an audit team consisting of 35 independent auditors. These volunteers visit events and gyms to monitor quality.

The Dutch Combat Sports Authority has a number of committees with involved experts from different fields. They advise the board on matters that play a role in their field. These committees include former kickboxing and mma professionals with many hundreds of fights to their name. But also trainers who have coached athletes at all levels, from children to world stars. Referees who have been in the ring or cage for 40 years. Very experienced promoters who have organized numerous events. But also financial experts, people with knowledge of education, municipal officials and a number of medical experts, including ring doctors who are active at Glory, Enfusion, UFC and numerous local events. They have one thing in common: a love of combat sports. These committees meet about three times a year.

The five committees are:

• Events
• Medical and Health
• Quality and licensing
• Technical Affairs
• Communication

In addition to the five committees the VA has another advisory body: the Athlete´s Council. About ten men and women, from world champions to recreational gym members, who give advice from the athlete’s point of view, solicited and unsolicited.

The disciplinary committee consists of eleven independent experts with an affinity with combat sports. You can read more about this committee and the procedures here.