Society

Elite sports give a positive boost to the image of the Netherlands. Nowadays elite sports is often a commercial matter. Should the realm government invest in elite sports? If so, should she invest only in the successful elite sports (getting a lot of medals!) or should the realm government invest time, money and energy in all sports?
(Sportnota Tijd voor Sport, 2005).

Our opinion is that investments made by the government to improve and develop Dutch elite sports, are crucial. These investments will have a positive effect on the image of the Netherlands. Besides the financial investments, there is also the improvement of the infrastructure like trainings facilities, the research on the area of sport and the strengthening of sport organizations. The government is also able to invest indirectly in elite sports. One area which the government could focus on is: to motivate possible sponsors to start sponsoring by making it more attractive for them. Another area is the investment in sport within municipalities and provinces.

The investments should be focused on the sports which have a level of importance in the Netherlands. This is not only recognizable by counting up the medals, but also by counting the participators. Through investing in these sports, the results made on elite sport level will give a boost to the ‘sport for all’. This boost is only possible when this sport is offered enough support and possibilities from the society. Mainly the sports with a long history in the Netherlands will get this support from the society.