December 15th in The Hague, the first meeting took place of OSF together with the FME-CWM’s Task Force Euro 2012. After being welcomed by Peter Lips of AgenstchapNL, OSF’s director Ronald Kramer informed the meeting (> 50 participants) of the many discussions that took place in 2011. In particular, he referred to the cooperation with FME-CWM and the different ministries (VWS, EL&I, BZ, I&M) and umbrella organisations (NOC*NSF, VNO-NCW etc.) involved. OS(B)F has received recognition as a platform where sports, business and government work together, in order to expand the international business of its participants. While using the Olympic ambitions of the Netherlands as a lever for international presentation and business. OSF has been asked by the Ministry of EL&I to set up a digital platform (website) on which the participants can share information, reflecting the sports ambitions of The Netherlands.

Ruben Houkes, Olympic medallist in judo and owner of 2Basics informed the meeting of his ideas on how to develop cooperation between grassroots sports and export. Leaving the participants with some thoughts for the future.

The presentations (updates in Dutch of the state of affairs in relation to the upcoming major events and relevant countries) of the meeting where sent to all OSF and FME-CWM Task Force Euro 2012 particpants. We where also informed of the appointment of Rob Baan by the All Indian Football Federation to draft a plan for the development of youth soccer in India, and how OSF operates in day-to-day practice. First item on the agenda in 2012 is a sports trade mission to Qatar (2022, WC Football).

2011 has been a year of pioneering in cooperation between sports, business and government. 2012 will be the year in which we will test and proof the succes of this cooperation.