VA joins the Platform for Sports Entrepreneurs (Platform Ondernemende Sportaanbieders)

Update December 2024: the message below is now out of date. The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) was a satisfied member of the POS for almost five years. For a regulator, such a membership was not self-evident, but in the absence of an overarching federation able to represent the interests of martial arts entrepreneurs, the VA temporarily took on this task. With the establishment of the NVB there is now a federation that will take over the representation of martial arts entrepreneurs' interests. This makes it a logical moment for the VA to end its membership of the POS. The VA is grateful to the POS for its efforts on behalf of martial arts entrepreneurs, which proved highly valuable during the coronavirus period in particular.

The Vechtsportautoriteit has joined the Platform Ondernemende Sportaanbieders (Platform for Sports Entrepreneurs). This is a partnership of trade associations representing approximately 3,400 sports providers.

The POS represents sports entrepreneurs who annually give around 5 million people in the Netherlands the opportunity to practise their sport, and who employ almost 50,000 people. These include swimming pools, outdoor sports businesses, fitness centres, riding schools, sailing schools, squash courts, boat rental companies, marinas, golf courses, and now also martial arts gyms.

The majority of people in the Netherlands who take part in sport now do so not (only) within the traditional club structure, but with independent sports providers. Within the POS, sports entrepreneurs exchange knowledge and experience, and stand up for their shared interests and those of their participants.

The VA and the POS came into contact as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Both organisations were working hard to convince the government that indoor sports could be resumed responsibly before 1 September. From this week onwards, the POS will also represent martial arts gyms, and the VA will take part in the exchange of knowledge.

More about the POS: https://www.ondernemendesportaanbieders.nl/