News item | 29-03-2023 | 07:00
The relationship between government, sport and society has changed. Sport is particularly vulnerable in the area of transgressive behaviour, doping and match fixing. The number of reports of transgressive behavior in sport has increased sharply in recent years. Minister Helder of Long-Term Care and Sport: “From conversations I had with the Institute of Sports Justice, the gymnasts, the dancers and the sport, the same call for help comes. More is needed in the coming years to achieve a safe sports climate together as a government and the sport.” Cross-border behavior in sport, doping use and match fixing. According to Helder, there should be one integrity center to combat these abuses. The creation of a single center that is independent makes it easier for athletes to report integrity concerns and provides a place to turn to with their questions.
Minister Conny Helder: ‘Discrimination and transgressive behavior influence the enjoyment of sport and pose a threat to it. In addition, the use of doping and match fixing undermine the integrity and social value of sport. As minister of sports, I therefore believe that the approach to this must be improved. That will not be arranged today or tomorrow, but I will do my utmost to take really big steps in this cabinet during this term of office.’ The first step is to house the Center for Safe Sport in the Netherlands (CVSN) in the newly to be established independent integrity center for safe sport. The CVSN is still part of the sports umbrella organization NOC*NSF. By offering one independent place where athletes can go to report and follow up on reports in the field of transgressive behaviour, doping and match fixing, athletes do not have to share their experiences multiple times and the disciplinary law process is also more transparent and accessible.
Sports deal 2
In addition, in the sports agreement, the minister is working together with sports and the municipalities on safe sports. The sports agreement 2 contains four agreements or mandatory conditions that a sports provider must meet in order to offer a socially safe environment. These are the more obligatory character of the VOG for trainers and administrators active in sports, having a confidential contact person, the code of conduct for sports and going through an e-learning for trainers and coaches about recognizing and preventing transgressive behaviour. These agreements are also conditional in order to qualify for the conclusion of the local sports agreements in the municipality and the financing thereof.
Australia
With this course, sports minister Conny Helder is following Australia’s successful example. There is one integrity center Sports Integrity Australia has been committed to strengthening ethical and safe sport for some time. By following this approach, Helder wants the Netherlands to play a pioneering role in this area in Europe. “On an international level, I am going to talk about a safe and honest sport. The sports sector is truly unique with all those different sports clubs and large groups of volunteers. By working together through the sports agreement, we really have something in our hands that other countries can learn from.”
Sports disciplinary law
The current sports disciplinary law has not been able to offer what was expected of it in some cases. “I have spoken with former gymnasts about their intense experiences with disciplinary law. In addition, I spoke with experts and experts by experience about the criticism of sports disciplinary law and the causes thereof. After all these conversations, my conclusion is that sports disciplinary law is not well equipped to systematically tackle transgressive behaviour”. This mainly concerns emotional and mental transgressive behavior such as: long-term belittlement, intimidation and bullying. Behavior with traumatic consequences for the athletes involved and often difficult to prove afterwards. A more human dimension is needed in sports disciplinary law. Among other things, by ensuring more diversity in the staff at the Institute for Sports Law and more participation by athletes. We are also increasing independence by setting up the ISR, for example by adding an extra counter reader to cases.