Gerben van Duin is one of the eleven nominees for the election of the football councilor of the Netherlands. – Photo: KNVB Media
The KNVB has nominated eleven councilors in the search for the Football Councilor of the Netherlands. For the 2026 municipal elections, a jury led by association chairman Frank Paauw will determine who will be the first to wear this title. We will be talking to the nominees in the near future. This time Gerben van Duin, alderman for Sports in Kaag en Braassem.
Gerben van Duin has been Sports Councilor in Kaag and Braassem since 2022, but he previously made his mark in Noordwijk and Nieuwkoop. His “club” is VV Noordwijk, where he was active for many years. As a former councilor for finance and sports, he knows how difficult it can be to combine cuts with investments. “I once had to cut back three hundred thousand euros on sports, but I immediately said: I’m not going to cut back, I’m going to reverse it. Because you earn it back double and straight with prevention.”
This rethinking translated into concrete results: during his four terms, more than 50 million was invested in new football, hockey, indoor sports and water sports facilities, including more than ten new sports fields.
Sport and exercise as a means of prevention
— Gerben van Duin.
Van Duin sees himself primarily as a playmaker and coach. “I can stand outside the game and put others in position. Associations, schools, healthcare partners: together you score the goal.”
His greatest success? Structurally putting sport and exercise on the map as a means of prevention. Van Duin worked with scientists such as Erik Scherder to show what exercise does for the body and mind. “Learned young is done old, we all know it, but don’t implement it. While you prevent so many healthcare costs by teaching children motor skills.”
In Noordwijk this led to the highest sports participation in the Netherlands and the titles of European Sports City and Healthiest Municipality. He also opened sports parks to new target groups, such as people on benefits or the elderly through daytime activities. “A sports park is more than just football. It is excitement, energy, a place where people meet each other and get opportunities.” In Kaag en Braassem he successfully applies the same vision together with his colleague in education by investing many millions in the link between health, exercise, sports and education, including on the Sportpad in Roelofarendsveen.
Sport is a necessity, not an afterthought
Its mission is broader than just sports fields: education, health and well-being are part of it. Yet it is difficult to get that story across everyone’s ears. “Too often, politicians still see sport as fun, like beer by the balls. But it is a pure necessity.”
His advice to fellow councilors: “Broaden the discussion. Involve your entire council, education, health, safety, and don’t throw it over the fence at associations. If you do it together, you become a full-fledged discussion partner.”
Health is number one
Van Duin dreams out loud: “We must put health at number one on the political agenda. Housing is important, but if you are unhealthy, that house is of no use to you. I hope that one day there will be a Minister of Sports who will structurally put this story on the map.”
He is further developing that ambition. According to Van Duin, lower healthcare costs and a more vital society would be within reach if sport and exercise were truly central to policy: “Suppose sport and exercise are high on the political agenda and all residents are actively exercising. Then the costs of healthcare become manageable again and society is fit and vital again to actively participate in our economy.”
Or, as he says: “Football is more than a game. The ball speaks all languages. And through sport we can solve so many social problems. We must continue to tell that story.”
Next week you will read the story of councilor Johan van Gerwen from the municipality of Meierijstad!
The nominees
Go to more information about the nominated councilors and the professional jury.
Municipal elections
More information.
