Authorities and combat sports events
Municipalities play an important role in safeguarding the quality of events. They pay particular attention to the safety and health of participants and visitors. What they can do, and how they can call on the Combat Sports Authority, is set out in the guidance on municipal policy for regulating combat sports events (in Dutch). Many municipalities have since adopted the advice of the VA in their policy and internal processes.
The VA and municipalities work together around events in three phases:
- Preparation. The VA advises the municipality on the requirements to set for organisers. Organisers are supported by the VA, for instance in drawing up a safety plan. The VA also analyses the matchmaking (how bouts are put together) to see whether it carries risks for public order. Where it does, this is discussed with the organisation so that adjustments can be made.
- During the event. Every year the VA audit team visits dozens of events. These experts assess on site whether the organisation is keeping to all the agreements.
- Afterwards. Both the organisation and the municipality receive a report from the audit team afterwards. Where there is reason to, an evaluation follows together with the municipality. The municipality can weigh the outcome in a future permit application.
The police are also an important partner for the combat sports sector where public order and safety are concerned. Promoters are expected to draw up a well-considered safety plan (in Dutch). This helps the police and municipalities to assess the impact of an event on its surroundings, and how risks are being minimised. From managing parking pressure to the number of qualified security staff required, everything is coordinated. When police forces have questions about an organisation or about possible risk factors, they know where to find the VA.
Authorities and combat sports gyms
Municipalities also rely on the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit for combat sports gyms. Dozens of municipalities make the quality mark a condition for cooperation, for example in city pass schemes or when renting out facilities. The clear requirements of the VA give municipalities a proper view of who they are dealing with. The NVB assesses the applications. The VA audit team carries out inspections and produces audit reports, which are also made available to the authorities.
Safety regions
The VA regularly contributes to meetings of the Dutch safety regions (in Dutch). In these partnerships, authorities and emergency services come together to coordinate their work and learn from each other. By making the work of the VA known to all partners in the safety regions, we strengthen the cooperation between the combat sports sector, external supervision and the authorities.
RIEC
One of the problems that made the founding of the Combat Sports Authority necessary was the growing number of attempts from criminal circles to abuse the combat sports sector. Think of laundering criminally obtained money, or committing fraud through combat sports organisations. The Combat Sports Authority works together with the Regional Information and Expertise Centres, knowledge centres aimed at combating subversive crime. Together we want to prevent criminals from infiltrating and abusing combat sports. One of the ways we do this is by aligning the requirements in the permit process for events.
Public Prosecution Service
When people from the combat sports world misbehave, it is sometimes a matter for the disciplinary law of the sport, and sometimes the police and the judiciary become involved. The Combat Sports Authority and the Public Prosecution Service are in close contact about how such matters are handled. The Public Prosecution Service also knows where to find the VA when it has questions about the combat sports world that matter for the wider context of a possible criminal case.
Questions?
Municipalities, police forces and other authorities or partnerships with questions about the combat sports sector are encouraged to contact the Combat Sports Authority at info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl.