Protocol for resuming martial arts activities launched

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this message of 24 April has partly been overtaken by more recent developments. For the latest news, click here.

The VA (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, the Dutch martial arts regulator) has developed a protocol for the gradual resumption of activities in martial arts, together with gym owners and in consultation with the national sports federation NOC*NSF. From 29 April onwards, the government allows children and young people to take part in organised outdoor sport again. Elite athletes can also resume their training soon, although the framework for this is not yet fully clear.

After weeks of a ban on virtually all activities, prompted by the coronavirus crisis, the government this week created scope for resuming sport, starting with children and young people. They may train outdoors and in organised settings again. The first group does not have to observe the one-and-a-half metre rule, the second group does. Competitions remain excluded for all categories.

The resumption of sport must take place within strict limits. This is to reduce the risk of further spread of the coronavirus. The government has asked various sectors to consider for themselves how activities can be restarted step by step. For the sports sector it looks primarily to the national sports federation NOC*NSF, of which the VA is an associate member. NOC*NSF asked the VA to develop a protocol for martial arts. The VA has done so under the conditions set by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and in close consultation with well-established gym owners. From day one they had of course already been considering the options for making a responsible restart. The sector submitted numerous ideas in dozens of emails. The final protocol was drawn up during an online meeting with twelve of the most experienced and respected gym owners.

Elite athletes will also soon be given more scope to resume their training. However, the conditions for this still have to be clarified by NOC*NSF, particularly with regard to the locations. The initial framework is nevertheless already set out in the protocol. The protocol also looks ahead to training indoors again at a later stage.

The result is the Protocol for resuming martial arts activities. It sets out what you as a gym must and can do to make sport possible again in a safe manner. This is a living document that will be amended as measures are relaxed or tightened, or as new insights emerge on the basis of practical experience.

Please note: the government has determined that local policy takes precedence. Gym owners must therefore always consult their municipality about the resumption of training. Use this protocol in contact with the municipality, but respect that the final word rests with them.

Among young people in the Netherlands, kickboxing is one of the fastest growing sports. The majority of competitive fighters in the Netherlands are minors and therefore fall within the categories that may start training again next week.

Read the Protocol for resuming martial arts activities here: [Document is outdated and has therefore been removed]