Summary - Report on Sport 2014

The Report on Sport (Rapportage sport) is regarded by the Dutch sports sector as the primary reference work in the field. More than half the Dutch population participated in sport on a weekly basis in 2014.

Author(s): Annet Tiessen-Raaphorst (ed.)
ISBN/ISSN/anders: 978 90 377 0731

More than half the Dutch population participated in sport on a weekly basis in 2014. Fitness training and running are the most popular sports among adults. Government interventions at the level of neighbourhoods, primary schools, secondary schools and sports clubs are intended to persuade more people to take part in sport and exercise, and to support this in a healthy and safe manner. The sports sector employs 150,000 people, and one and a half million Dutch people volunteer for sport every month. The investments in elite sport and the efficiency of elite sports policy support the strong performances by top Dutch sportsmen and women.

Despite the economic crisis, the Dutch government still invests a lot of money in sport: more than one billion euros annually. The sports economy accounts for 1% of the total Dutch economy. Yet these investments have borne very little fruit in recent years: the number of people participating in sport on a weekly or regular basis has risen only slightly, and the number of volunteers has remained unchanged. Extra attention for sporting events has not led to higher attendances or persuaded people to take part in sport themselves. More than a third of people who participate in sport or attend sporting events have witnessed misconduct in sport, and a quarter feel less safe at sporting events.

Attention for sport therefore remains necessary.Report on Sport 2014 (Rapportage sport 2014) brings together the key trends and developments in sport, compiled and discussed by 22 researchers from the Netherlands Institute for Social Research¦SCP and other research institutes. The report is an up-to-date and indispensable reference work for all whose work or study involves them in the world of Dutch sport

Annet Tiessen-Raaphorst is a human movement scientist in the Care, Emancipation and Time Use research sector at SCP. Her main research interests lie in developments in sport and Dutch engagement with sport.