Wassenaar Sports Contact and municipality seek joint direction for sports policy
The Wassenaar Sports Contact (WSC), Alderman Sport, Laurens van Doeveren and other representatives of the Wassenaar municipality met Thursday, Sept. 11, for a substantive discussion on the future of sports in the village and WSC's role in it. Also central was the municipality's draft Sports Vision, which was drawn up to give direction to sports policy for the coming years. This vision will be presented to the municipal council for decision-making on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Together toward a new sports policy for Wassenaar
With the draft Sports Vision, the municipality wants to invest in strong sports clubs, increased sports and exercise participation among residents and future-proof sports facilities. There is also a focus on creating an exercise-friendly environment that invites active living, for young and old. The vision revolves around four pillars: strengthening sports providers, more people on the move, creating an environment that invites to exercise, and realizing sustainable sports facilities that are ready for the future.
Alderman Sport, Laurens van Doeveren: "When I visit a sports club in Wassenaar, I see what sport does: people feel at home there, meet each other and exercise with pleasure. We want to preserve and strengthen that strength. That is why we work closely with the Wassenaar Sports Contact and the associations, because only together do we get it done. With the (draft) Sports Vision we invest in concrete: the subsidy for youth members goes up and there will be extra money for the maintenance of our outdoor fields. I am proud of the wide range of sports on offer and the hundreds of volunteers who make it all possible. In this way we ensure that sport in Wassenaar remains accessible to everyone, now and in the future."
The role of the Wassenaar Sports Contact
During the conversation with the WSC, not only the content of the vision itself was discussed, but also the role of the Wassenaar Sports Contact within the broader sports landscape. Discussions were held on how WSC can develop in the future into a platform that further represents the interests of the sports sector in Wassenaar. This included the idea of exploring whether a broader sports platform is desirable and feasible: a platform that offers room for cooperation, support and joint initiatives.
They also reflected on what is needed for a possible relaunch or further development of WSC, such as organizational strengthening, clear structure and coordination with sports associations. Concrete questions about support for new sports initiatives were addressed, such as the desire to set up a new basketball club in Wassenaar.
The discussion concluded with the intention to organize a joint brainstorming session in the near future. That session should help to further concretize the ideas. And to think together about the next steps towards a local sports platform for a stronger, more inclusive future-oriented sports and exercise offer and facilities in Wassenaar.
