Safety audits to support promoters and municipalities

The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Combat Sports Authority) has been carrying out audits at combat sports events for a long time. These audits cover every aspect of an event, from the permit procedure to the health measures, so that points for improvement can be identified. For the past year, the VA has also been carrying out specific safety audits.

Safety audits are carried out at the larger events attended by large numbers of spectators. Specialised members of the VA audit team, who also work as safety experts in their day-to-day jobs, bring their professional experience to the galas and tournaments. In this way they can offer promoters and municipalities additional support in organising combat sports events properly.

The VA provides combat sports entrepreneurs with a standard safety plan and an accompanying guidance document for completing it. This helps promoters to organise events properly. It also builds confidence among municipalities that have to issue permits.

In the case of safety audits, contact is made with the organiser beforehand in order to assist with the safety plan where necessary. The matchmaking is also checked with a view to identifying possible high-risk bouts. Afterwards, all findings are shared with those involved and any points for improvement are discussed.

The safety audits are explicitly aimed at working together towards ever better organised events.

Promoters and municipalities with questions about safety at combat sports events can always contact the VA at info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl