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The Flemish Martial Arts Platform (Belgium)
The Flemish Martial Arts Platform bridges policy and practice in full-contact martial arts in Flanders, promoting safe, high-quality and ethically responsible participation. It supports federations, clubs, trainers, policymakers and medical professionals through education, expertise, knowledge exchange and practical tools, and is subsidised by the Flemish Government.
The Flemish Martial Arts Platform is an independent (non-profit) point of contact and expertise center that bridges policy and practice in full contact martial arts in Flanders (Belgium). It supports and connects martial arts federations, gyms, policymakers, local governments and medical professionals to promote a safe, high-quality and ethically responsible practice in martial arts thereby strengthening the positive image of martial arts and maximising their social value.
Among other things, the Platform:
organises courses, certificated training and supplementary educational sessions to help grow the number of qualified full-contact martial arts trainers in Flanders
functions as an information, support and expert centre, providing advice and connecting stakeholders — including federations, local authorities, clubs and trainers (e.g., through workshops on the basic principles of taping for martial artists and other protective measures to minimise injury risk)
organises exchange events that bring together local governments and experts to share insights on policy, infrastructure, event organisation and other aspects regarding the organisation and support of martial arts practice in local communities (e.g., criteria for subsidising local clubs; the use of martial arts for broader developmental purposes)
develops recommendations, toolboxes and information resources for gyms, physicians, clubs and other stakeholders to support safe and responsible practice in full-contact martial arts (e.g., through e-learning programmes for those responsible for sport-medical suitability assessments and for ringside doctors helping to ensure that medical professionals are prepared for the specific demands of full-contact martial arts events; to monitor, advise and support medical and preventive strategies around head impacts in martial arts, combining evidence with practical support)
The platform is subsidised by decree from the Flemish Government and operates within the broader Flemish sport policy framework. Although it was officially founded in 2016, it has a longer track record as it grew out of a project since 2012 which was initiated and supported by the Flemish government and is a partnership between the ‘Flemish Sport Federation’ (i.e., representative body for the sports federations in Flanders), the ‘Network Local Sport Policy’ (i.e., umbrella organisation for local sport governments) and the ‘Vrije Universiteit Brussel’ (VUB – Free University of Brussels).
Contact:
Flemish Martial Arts Platform
Zuiderlaan 13, 9000 Gent
https://vechtsportplatform.be
info@vechtsportplatform.be
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