Competing after 1 September? Only with the Keurmerk!

From 1 September, only gyms holding the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (the quality mark of the Dutch Martial Arts Authority) may take part in competitions in the Netherlands. Martial arts gyms that do not yet hold the Keurmerk should apply promptly. Applying at the last moment is not an option.

The Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit was introduced in the spring of 2021. With the Keurmerk, martial arts gyms demonstrate that they meet the requirements set in the areas of safety, health, qualified coaching staff, rules of conduct and standards of behaviour, and tackling transgressive behaviour. Gyms that do not demonstrate that they meet these minimum requirements will be excluded from participation in competitions by all federations and promoters in the Netherlands from 1 September 2022.

More than two hundred martial arts gyms have now received the quality mark, or are in the assessment procedure.

Are you a gym owner, do you want your athletes to take part in competitions after the summer as well, but you do not yet hold the quality mark? Then apply now.

Are you a competitive fighter and does your gym not yet hold the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit? Then remind them that they must hold the quality mark before 1 September.

Given the expected volume of applications, an assessment period of four weeks must be taken into account. This means that the application must be received before 1 August.

The Keurmerk can be applied for via vechtsportautoriteit.nl/keurmerk

This page contains a detailed manual with extensive information. The page also contains an overview of the most frequently asked questions and the answers to them. If anything is still unclear after reading it, please email your questions to info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl

Doping controls
Since this year, the Dutch Anti-Doping Authority (Dopingautoriteit) has been carrying out controls in martial arts. Competitive fighters and their coaches must know their rights and obligations. For this purpose, the Dopingautoriteit has developed an e-learning module. This is a short course on their website. You will be shown videos about doping and doping controls. After that, you must answer a number of questions. On completion, you will receive an official certificate. Participation is free of charge. The VA encourages everyone to take this short course.

If anything is unclear, please email your questions to info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl