The Netherlands: How the interplay between federations and government helps to build a sporting nation

Abstract

In this chapter, we will highlight the current state of affairs as well as the historical background of the way in which sport is governed in the Netherlands. In order to do so, we will focus on the role of the national government, the sports clubs and sport federations and the local governments. We will show that sport in the Netherlands very much forms a showcase for the Dutch political-economy tradition of coalitions and of responsibilities and initiatives that are shared between public and private organisations. We will argue that that system has been important in establishing a sound and cost-effective sporting infrastructure, perhaps favouring grassroots sport whilst not being blind to the significance of elite sports. We will also, however, go into the threats to the system, coming from the influx of commercial forces and the need to make difficult choices when it comes to elite sports.