News
Learning and laughter at the first VA Knowledge Day
Dozens of volunteers of the VA (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, the Dutch martial arts regulator) gathered on Saturday at Sportcentrum Papendal to exchange experiences and get to know each other better.
Every week, auditors of the VA visit martial arts events and gyms. A total of 35 volunteers travel across the country for this purpose. The VA also recently established a fully operational disciplinary committee (tuchtcommissie). It consists of 13 lawyers with a passion for martial arts. They too are volunteers, as are the eight members of the board and the five members of the Supervisory Board (Raad van Toezicht). On Saturday, all these VA volunteers were brought together to meet one another and to exchange experiences and ideas.
At Sportcentrum Papendal, in the home of NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation), a series of presentations was given about the work of the various parts of the VA. The day-to-day work was explained, for instance the procedures of the recently formed disciplinary committee. VA board member Diederik van Ommen and disciplinary committee secretary Hind Mechri spoke about the first cases that have been submitted, how these were handled and what measures they resulted in.
The state of affairs regarding the establishment of the new martial arts federation was also shared. The VA will make arrangements with this new organisation about the division of responsibilities and tasks, which also raises questions about the role of the volunteers.
At the close of the presentations, Jan Loorbach was called forward. After his involvement in the run-up to the founding of the VA and six years of membership of the Supervisory Board, he is taking leave of the VA. The former top basketball player and lawyer was thanked for his highly valuable contribution to the establishment of the VA and to keeping it on course.
After the substantive sessions, the group moved to the Wim Ruska Dojo, further along the elite sports centre. Three practical seminars were held there (kickboxing, judo and karate) under the guidance of VA people who have practised these sports at a competitive level. This was instructive, but above all enjoyable.
After the training, the day concluded with a dinner and a visit to a kickboxing event. Afterwards it was concluded that the first VA Knowledge Day had been very useful and deserves an annual follow-up.