For the time being, several Dutch sports associations have received few signals that affiliated sports associations are suffering from the increased energy costs. According to the unions, there is therefore no question of a structural problem yet. There is, however, a great demand for ways to make accommodations more sustainable.
This is evident from a tour of the ANP. Monday reported the KNVB that many football clubs fear for their survival due to the increased energy costs.
Many associations rent sports hall from the municipality
No signals are coming in at volleyball association Nevobo yet. A spokesperson points out that many associations do not have their own accommodation. They often rent a sports hall from the municipality. “The question is to what extent municipalities will eventually pass on the energy costs of this to the sports associations. But we have not yet received those signals.”
Korfball association KNKV does receive messages from clubs, but they are “not structural”, says a spokesperson. The union works with association advisers who keep a finger on the pulse. “They are on top of it and give advice where necessary.”
Korfball clubs play matches outside in the spring, often at their own accommodations. An indoor competition will follow in the fall. According to the spokeswoman, whether this has consequences for energy costs depends on the energy contracts that have been concluded. “But we haven’t received any signals yet.”
Mapping energy costs
According to a spokesperson for tennis association KNLTB, “increasingly” signals are coming in from clubs, but not yet on a large scale. However, the association calls on tennis associations to map out their energy costs. “The competition ends this month, after that the season will be a bit quieter. But also in winter there are associations that use courts on which you can play,” says the spokeswoman.
Despite the small number of signals, the telephone is “red-hot” at energy company SportStroom, which supports sports clubs with energy management. Director Robert den Ouden notes two things. “First of all, many clubs are very concerned about paying their energy bill. In addition, many associations are knocking on the door to become more sustainable.”
But the latter did not immediately help the clubs, adds Den Ouden. “After an application, solar panels are not immediately installed on the clubhouse, due to a shortage of installers. So those associations are still going to have a harsh winter.”
40 percent of amateur football clubs are concerned
The KNVB football association conducted a survey among 270 clubs, which is approximately 10 percent of the total number of Dutch amateur clubs. Nearly 40 percent of them are concerned about their survival due to high energy costs.
The KNVB calls on the government to speed up plans to compensate sports associations for the sharply increased energy prices. The union also advocates setting up an emergency fund for sports facilities that are seriously affected.