Quality mark: critical questions answered

From 1 September, martial arts gyms are required to hold the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (the Dutch Martial Arts Authority quality mark) if they want to take part in competitions. Most gyms that regularly take part in competitions have now arranged this. But a number of gyms have not yet. Some have critical questions about the quality mark. We are happy to answer them.

Why a quality mark?

The demand for a quality mark came from the martial arts sector itself. In 2017 it was announced that a quality mark would be introduced. In 2019 the VA asked all martial arts gyms that take part in competitions to contribute their ideas. In a survey we asked what they considered important for the quality mark. In addition, various experienced gym owners were involved in developing the quality mark.

Why is it mandatory?

Unqualified trainers, unsafe equipment and hazardous sports venues damage the reputation and therefore the interests of the entire martial arts sector. The accidents caused by substandard providers reflect on all martial arts gyms. The VA and the federations have said: we are going to make the quality mark mandatory, because keeping out the bad apples is in everyone's interest.

Other sports do not have a quality mark either, do they?

Requirements are set within all serious sports. Most other sports in the Netherlands are organised by a single federation, which in turn is a member of the national sports umbrella organisation NOC*NSF. These federations, such as the KNVB (the Dutch football association) or the Boksbond (the Dutch boxing federation), all set minimum requirements for setting up a club or gym. Martial arts are organised differently and have translated these minimum requirements into a quality mark.

Are most gyms not taking part?

We see people on social media saying that there are 2,000 gyms and only 250 hold a quality mark. The quality mark is aimed first and foremost at gyms that take part in competitions. There are far fewer of those. Before the coronavirus period, some 450 Dutch gyms occasionally took part in competitions. Of these, 350 have obtained the quality mark or are in the application process. A number of the 450 mentioned above went bankrupt during the coronavirus period and will therefore not apply for the quality mark. Some gyms only take part in competitions later in the year and therefore want to apply for the quality mark later. That is not a problem.

Is there any support for it?

In 2021, research was carried out among martial arts gym owners by means of a representative survey. All gym owners who regularly take part in competitions were invited to complete it. According to 85.3%, the quality mark is a positive development, 13.3% have no opinion on it and 1.3% consider it a negative development. So yes, there is considerable support for the quality mark.

Are the requirements for trainers not too high?

The requirements for trainers were drawn up in consultation with gym owners and the national sports umbrella organisation NOC*NSF. What is required is a trainer's qualification that meets the standards of the Academie voor Sportkader (the Dutch academy for sports coaching qualifications). That can be a qualification from the FOG or from the SKMO. But for MMA trainers it can also be a recognised qualification from another martial art that is relevant to MMA training. Do you not have a recognised qualification? Then you may be eligible for an exemption.

An exemption? For whom?

Our martial arts were built up by a number of pioneers. They brought martial arts to the Netherlands and brought the Netherlands to the top of the world. We are not asking them to take a course. These pioneers can apply for an exemption on the basis of 'prior learning', as it is called in educational terms.

Is my experience not enough?

Experience as a competitive fighter or trainer alone is not enough. Experience does not in itself mean that you are able to teach. That is why we follow the standards of the Academie voor Sportkader: experience plus a qualification demonstrating that you know how to teach, such as an ALO (academy of physical education), Sport & Exercise or a similar programme.

Plenty of experience but no qualification, what now?

Especially for experienced trainers without a qualification, the SKMO and the FOG have developed a shortened course. Contact these organisations if you would like to know more about this.

And you are lining your pockets, no doubt?

Applying for the quality mark costs 100 euros. This is a small contribution towards the costs incurred by the VA. The actual costs are much higher. The VA does not earn a cent from the quality mark. The work of the VA is funded by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport).

What about those courses then?

The trainer courses are given by two independent organisations: the SKMO and the FOG. They decide their own rates. The VA receives not a cent from these organisations. If someone wants to start a trainer training programme themselves that is cheaper and also applies the NOC*NSF standards, we will recognise that as well. We will then also refer people to it, without charging a cent for doing so.

What if I still consider the costs too high?

There are municipalities, such as The Hague, that reimburse the costs of the quality mark application. There are also municipalities that reimburse the courses. They see it as an investment in the quality of the sports on offer. If the costs are a barrier, a gym can contact the sports department of its own municipality and ask whether support is possible.

1 September, is that not too soon?

In order to be able to fight in the Netherlands, a federation must be able to create the bout in the Fightpassport system. From 1 September, only fighters affiliated with a gym that holds the quality mark can be matched. It was announced back in 2017 that this moment would come. It was also stated explicitly when the quality mark was launched in March 2021. In October 2021 it was reported loud and clear once again. All gyms in the Netherlands have received several letters and e-mails in recent years. They have been informed repeatedly and, in our assessment, well in time.

Then my gym will simply fight out of another country, right?

The quality mark requirement applies to Dutch martial arts gyms. Foreign gyms are exempt. That is because the VA has no way of inspecting them on site. Dutch gyms that think they can use this as an escape route are mistaken. Evading the quality mark requirement by posing as a foreign gym is regarded as undermining the Dutch martial arts sector. The Dutch federations will not cooperate with this and the VA will take disciplinary measures.

My gym does not have a quality mark, does that mean I cannot fight?

Fighters who train at a gym without a quality mark should encourage their trainers to submit the application quickly. If the gym does not do so, the fighter will have to find another gym to compete for.

Ask us!

We regularly come across incorrect information about the quality mark. Unfortunately, quite a few people believe everything they read on social media or hear through the grapevine. If you have a question, want to be sure about something or have concerns, check with us. Here you will find more answers to frequently asked questions. If the answer to your question is not there either, feel free to e-mail us: info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl