Partners
Every year, the Combat Sports Authority signs a covenant with all active sports associations in kickboxing, Thai boxing and MMA in the Netherlands. In 2024, these agreements will be made for the first time with one organization: the Dutch Martial Arts Association (NVB). The parties that have been the covenant partners until now will now be covered by the agreements between the VA and the NVB.
The agreements with which we want to make the sport safer, better organized and (literally and figuratively) healthier, are laid down every year in a so-called covenant. These are agreements that have been in place for many years, but new agreements are also added every year, because it is everyone’s ambition to make the sport a little stronger every year.
Municipalities have included in their policy that events can only take place under the auspices of a VA covenant partner. You cannot organize events without an agreement with the Dutch Martial Arts Authority.
Gyms that participate in events without the guidance of a covenant partner may lose their Martial Arts Authority Quality Mark. They will then be excluded from all events of all recognized organizations and promoters in the Netherlands and Belgium. Athletes who participate in such events also risk exclusion from competitions by all recognized organizations and promotions in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The agreement provides clarity to all those involved in the martial arts world about the requirements. It gives governments the confidence that martial arts are organized within clear frameworks. It gives governments the confidence that martial arts are organized within clear frameworks.
The VA has concluded the 2024 Agreement with the Dutch Combat Sports Federation (Nederlandse Vechtsportbond, or NVB). However, this year will be a transition year. In practice, this means that the organizations that have been covenant holders until now will remain active within the framework of the 2023 covenant until they are integrated into the NVB. The parties that are still active in this context and are in charge of events are:
In martial arts, important roles are played by promoters. These are the organizers of events where competitions are fought. This can be a small youth tournament in the community center, but also a large gala in a football stadium. Promoters in the Netherlands must meet certain requirements. This is arranged through the promoter license issued by the covenant partners. You will find an up-to-date overview of the holders of a promoter license here.
Minimum requirements have also been set for event budgets in order to meet the conditions of financial transparency.
At the request of the martial arts sector and municipalities, a ‘safety plan format’ has been drawn up by safety experts under the direction of the VA. Among other things, they must reduce the risk of disruption of events by visitors who misbehave. Promoters are expected to use the format and accompanying guidance when preparing martial arts events.
Matchmakers are also important in organizing events. They make the fights. They make sure that in every fight the participants are as equal as possible. We do not want a light and inexperienced athlete to face a heavy and experienced athlete. That could lead to accidents. Matchmakers must also meet certain requirements in the Netherlands. This is arranged through the matchmakers license issued by the covenant partners. You will find an up-to-date overview of the holders of a matchmaker license here.
To ensure that youth tournaments run better, the VA and the Technical Committee have tightened the requirements as of May 1, 2023, in addition to the promoter license and matchmaker license.
The VA recognizes courses if they meet the standards that the NOC*NSF Academy for Sports Management has laid down in the Sports Qualification Structure (KSS).
Currently, three institutes that provide training are recognized. These are the training courses for kickboxing and Thai boxing teachers from the FOG and the SKMO, and the training courses for officials in martial arts from the Martial Arts Trainer for Officials Netherlands, OMVON.
The Dutch Martial Arts Authority is an associated member of the sports umbrella organization NOC*NSF. The VA is therefore a recognized partner, but because it is a supervisor and not a sports association, it has a slightly different position with regard to the umbrella organization than the ‘normal’ sports associations.
The VA is also a member of the Platform for Entrepreneurial Sports Providers (POS), because this young organization also represents the interests of sports entrepreneurs in martial arts, such as martial arts school owners. The POS stands up for its members in contact with local, regional and national government. It emphasizes the importance of modern enterprising sports providers in addition to classically organized sports that traditionally exist in associations.