Volunteer Pressure on Sports Clubs in Netherlands and Belgium

In the Netherlands, more than 2 million volunteers support around 22 000 sport clubs, including roughly 90 000 unpaid board members. Growing regulatory and administrative demands are increasing pressure on these volunteers, especially in larger clubs with facilities and extensive activities. The Dutch Olympic Committee*National Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) urges a “volunteer pressure test” to assess the impact of new rules before they are implemented, and it offers practical, legal and policy assistance such as collective insurance, legal advice and guidance on subsidies.

In Belgium, football club TEMPO Overijse is actively recruiting volunteers for tasks such as welcoming referees, serving at the bar, and other club duties. The club emphasizes flexible commitment, welcoming occasional help, and invites interested individuals to contact them via email.