NOC*NSF needs at least 16 million euros extra per year to tackle transgressive behaviour. This emerges from a calculation by bureau Berenschot on behalf of the sports umbrella.
With the 16 million euros, organized sport can take basic measures in the field of prevention, education and enforcement to prevent excesses. To achieve optimal integrity at both the club level and in top sport, twice as much is required, namely 31 million euros.
Cross-border behavior is a current theme in Dutch sport. It started with revelations about intimidation and abuse in gymnastics. It subsequently emerged that at the triathlon top sports center, the women’s hockey team, the Olympic rowing team and Ajax football club were also involved in transgressive behavior. In gymnastics there is now a fund to compensate the victims.
Berenschot observes that transgressive behavior in sport occurs at all levels. The agency reports that the number of files at the Center for Safe Sports in the Netherlands has risen to more than 650 this year. The vast majority of the reports come from recreational sports.
Marc van den Tweel is general director of NOC*NSF.
Marc van den Tweel is general director of NOC*NSF. Photo: AP
‘End of non-commitment’
NOC*NSF wants, among other things, pedagogical training for all trainers and coaches who supervise vulnerable groups (such as children), an integrity manager at every sports association and a mandatory Statement of Behavior for trainers who teach athletes under the age of eighteen, as well as for other supervisors who often interact with this vulnerable group.
“We all want a safe sports climate, but so far we have not attached a price to this,” says Marc van den Tweel, general manager of NOC*NSF. “If we really want safe and clean sport, we have to put an end to non-commitment. Just like it happens in other sectors of society.
“We set quality requirements in the field of integrity and pedagogical skills in childcare and education. That should be just as obvious for the sports club your child goes to after school.”