A Dictionary of Dutchness

NOC*NSF

The Nederlands Olympisch Comité * Nederlandse Sport Federatie was formed in 1993 when the country’s two leading sports bodies merged. The NOC dates back to 1912, the NSF to 1959. More than 90 sport federations, representing 30,000 clubs, are affiliated to the merged body – which could definitely do with a snappier name. Every year it hands out some €37m in grants to sports clubs and organisations. The money is raised through the Lotto lottery.