25,000 signatures for student sports

In just five days, a petition against the announced price hikes for student sports has already gathered 25,000 signatures. National sports federation NOC*NSF has also expressed concern.

Under government policy, educational institutions are only allowed to spend money on education, research and the dissemination of knowledge. Anything beyond that – from canteens to sports facilities – is not considered a legal duty.

As a result, institutions would no longer be allowed to offer cheap sports passes, and would have to charge either the actual cost or a market-based rate. Sports in the facilities of MBO, HBO and university institutions could become 500 euros more expensive per year, university association UNL has warned.

Student organisations are up in arms and doing everything they can to oppose the stricter rules – or stricter enforcement. The petition is part of this effort: it shows that many people are outraged.

Dear friends

Some signatories have shared their reasons for supporting the petition. “Because I met my best friends through my student sports club”, one of them writes. “This would mean the end of our sports club”, says another. “And it’s not just sports, cultural associations will be pushed aside too”, a third warns.

It’s not just current students who are signing, but also alumni. “At a time when things weren’t going well for me as a student, access to student sports was incredibly important”, one writes.

Wellbeing and academic results

This is also one of the arguments put forward by educational institutions: “Student sports are essential to students’ wellbeing and academic performance”, says Caspar van den Berg, chair of university association UNL, in a press release co-signed by several other organisations. “It is therefore crucial that universities can continue to invest in them.”

National sports federation NOC*NSF believes the new policy “defies all logic”. Sport must remain accessible and affordable for students, argues Guido Davio, director of grassroots sports. Once students start playing sports, he says, they tend to keep doing so later in life.

The new policy could also affect elite sport. At the Olympic Games in Paris, 107 Dutch medallists included 77 students and alumni. Of those, the students alone won 21 medals: twelve gold, five silver and four bronze.

Motion

GroenLinks–PvdA has called the policy “runaway market thinking” and announced a motion to change the cabinet’s mind. It is expected to be submitted next week.

However, the issue will already be addressed in the House of Representatives this week: on Wednesday, there will be a debate with Minister Bruins on the mental health of school and university students.