VA opens applications for the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (Martial Arts Authority Quality Mark)

At the request of a number of martial arts gyms, applications for the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (Martial Arts Authority Quality Mark) have been opened. The launch had been postponed several times because of the coronavirus measures. The VA did not want to place an unnecessary burden on gym owners. Because a growing number of them indicated that they now actually had time to apply, the decision was taken to open the procedure after all. The quality mark is intended to separate the wheat from the chaff in the martial arts sector.

Martial arts gyms are in difficult circumstances due to the enforced closure as part of the fight against the coronavirus. This was why the VA postponed the launch of the quality mark several times. They have other things on their minds, was the reasoning. However, the VA was increasingly approached by gyms asking: can we apply for the quality mark, since we unfortunately have plenty of time? The VA therefore decided to open applications as of 4 March.

Over the past few months, the application system has been extensively tested with the help of a number of martial arts gyms. These parties were the first to be awarded the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit. They are Mejiro Gym Amsterdam and Mejiro Gym Heerhugowaard, SB Gym, Fight Game Academy, Tabonon, CSA Holland, Yamato Gym and Sokudo Gym.

The quality mark sets a number of minimum requirements that martial arts gyms must meet. It enables them to distinguish themselves in terms of quality and safety. Municipalities will make the quality mark a condition for cooperation. The quality mark was developed together with gym owners, sports federations and municipal officials. In due course, substandard gyms that do not meet the requirements will be excluded from participation in competitions by all federations and promoters in the Netherlands.

This clip briefly summarises what the quality mark involves:

For more information, including special brochures for gym owners and municipalities, please visit our quality mark page. There you will also find the manual and the application button.