Student sports subsidy cuts will “hurt health and exam results”

Legislation introduced in 2003 banned the use of public money for “private” activities, but included an exemption for university sports centres. The right-wing government has now removed that exception.

“What was a grey area has now been made black and white,” Mylou Miché, chairwoman of student union ISO, told the AD, “Student sport is the victim.”

As a result, student sports clubs will be required to charge market rates, which in some cases means fees rising from €200 to €700 a year, Miché said. “Students cannot afford that.”

Around 400 student sports clubs and associations will be affected by the new rules. In Maastricht, for example, students currently have access to 30 sports associations as well as a university sports centre.

The ISO, universities’ association Universiteiten van Nederland (UNL), sports body Studentensport Nederland, and the Dutch sports and Olympics committee NOC*NSF committee have all called on the government to reconsider. They are asking for an exemption for student sports clubs, arguing they serve the public interest.

“Student sport is essential for students’ welfare and good results,” said UNL chairman Caspar van den Berg. “It is crucial that universities continue to invest in it, but this rule will make it virtually impossible.”

Students have already been hard hit by the government, Miché said. “They’ve cut the basic grant, are cutting spending on education, and now they want to take away sport. If pensioners can take cheap sports lessons, why not students?”