News

ZUIDLAREN – Fight Game Academy in Zuidlaren will soon launch De Beweegclub 60+, a low-threshold exercise pilot for residents of the municipality of Tynaarlo aged 60 and older.

The initiative has been approved under the Tynaarlo Sports and Physical Activity Agreement and is aimed at strengthening vitality, self-reliance, and social connection. The pilot consists of two types of activities especially suited for people aged 60 and over: Boxing 60+ (without sparring, with an emphasis on technique, coordination, and self-confidence) and Zumba Gold (movement to music, focused on fitness, balance, and enjoyment). Each class lasts 50 minutes and is accessible to participants with different levels of fitness and experience. Afterwards, there is time for social interaction.

Collaboration with local partners

De Beweegclub 60+ is aimed not only at active seniors, but also at older adults who are less physically active, feel lonely, or experience a barrier to getting started. To reach and support this target group, Fight Game Academy is working together with the municipality of Tynaarlo and Humanitas. The pilot will run for eight weeks and will be evaluated based on participation, experienced effects, and feasibility. Based on the results, it will be decided whether the program can be continued on a structural basis.

The classes will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, May 6, 13, 20 and 27, and June 3, each time from 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. Participation is free of charge. Registration is open until Friday, March 27 via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., mentioning Beweegclub 60+.

Sport Makes You Active launches in Tynaarlo: 13 weeks working on fitness and your future

Thursday 5 March, the project Sport Makes You Active has launched in the municipality of Tynaarlo. During this 13-week programme, participants work step by step on building more energy, structure and self-confidence, with sport as a practical driving force.

Sport Makes You Active is a collaboration between the Municipality of Tynaarlo, Werkplein Drentsche Aa, Demusa coaching & training and the Fight Game Academy in Zuidlaren. The programme is intentionally low-threshold and goal-oriented: participants are set in motion both literally and figuratively, creating room for new steps towards employment, participation or volunteer work.

Kickboxing

Each week features a training session in which kickboxing and bootcamp are combined. It is not only about breaking a sweat and getting fitter, but also about developing resilience, strengthening mindset and breaking unhelpful patterns.

Alongside the sports component, there is also practical guidance, such as support with writing job applications and finding suitable (volunteer) work.

Moving forward together

What makes this project strong is the combination of clear structure, guidance and an environment that challenges you to keep going. Werkplein Drentsche Aa supports residents on their way to work, income or participation. Within Sport Makes You Active, that pathway gains extra momentum through the sports programme.

Would you like to know more about Sport Makes You Active or what this programme could mean for you? Please contact your point of contact at Werkplein Drentsche Aa.

Last Saturday, the new Cobrafit Studio was officially opened in Zuidlaren. To make the opening extra festive, a DJ was present, creating an energetic and welcoming atmosphere. During the open house, both members and interested visitors had the opportunity to take part in trial sessions and get acquainted with the training programs of Fight Game Academy and the Cobrafit training concept.

Cobrafit works with EMS training (Electrical Muscle Stimulation). During this type of training, participants wear a specially designed EMS suit that delivers controlled electrical impulses to various muscle groups. This allows multiple muscle groups to be activated simultaneously and intensively, including deeper muscle layers. As a result, it is possible to work effectively on strength, fitness, muscle development, and fat reduction in a short amount of time.

The training sessions are personally supervised, safe, and suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. In addition, EMS training is used to support recovery and rehabilitation. Thanks to the short training duration, Cobrafit is especially suitable for people with busy schedules who still want to train in a responsible and goal-oriented way.

Cobrafit and the Fight Game Academy look back on a highly successful day, with a strong turnout and many enthusiastic reactions and would like to sincerely thank all spectators and members, young and old, for their contribution to the open house. Thanks to their commitment and enthusiasm, the Fight Game Academy has grown into what it is today: a safe environment to train.

Were you unable to attend the open house and try a session? We are happy to offer you another opportunity. You can request a free trial session for one of the classes. Please mention “OPEN HOUSE” when signing up.

This promotion is valid until March 1, 2026.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the first official training day for ringside physicians took place at the St. Jansdal Hospital in Harderwijk, organized by the Dutch Combat Sports Federation (NVB). Ringside physicians from various affiliated organizations gathered to exchange knowledge, align procedures, and strengthen collaboration. On behalf of the board, Alex Prascevic and I were present to emphasize the importance of this event.

Clear Procedures and Defined Responsibilities

The day started with a Basic Life Support course by BLS Instructor Harrie van der Velde, which covered CPR, recent insights, and updated guidelines. This was followed by an in-depth session led by Hagen Biermann, focusing on regulations and task division during combat sports competitions.

During this session, it became evident that ambiguity still exists among ringside physicians regarding their responsibilities. It is essential to stress that the ringside physician has both the right and the duty to stop a fight if it is deemed medically or ethically irresponsible to continue even if the referee has not requested it. This requires good pre-fight coordination with both the head official and the promoter. The legal responsibility of the ringside physician is significant, and in the absence of clear agreements, the ultimate responsibility often rests with them.

Medical Insights and Practical Cases

Prof. Dr. Kees Polderman, Professor of Neuro-Critical Care, gave a valuable lecture on the effects of head trauma and how the brain functions. He also addressed the dilemmas that may arise when a post-fight medical recommendation from a doctor is not followed.

To conclude the day, various real-life situations were discussed using video footage and case studies: in which cases of injuries or bleeding must a fight be immediately stopped? The ensuing discussion highlighted the necessity of unified guidelines to ensure both fair and safe competition for athletes.

Worth Repeating

The course was intended for medically trained ringside physicians with a valid BIG registration and an affinity for combat sports. Thanks to the efforts of Hagen Biermann on behalf of the NVB, participation was offered free of charge to members of the federation.

Although the day was specifically focused on ringside physicians, it became clear that officials, trainers, and promoters would also benefit from attending. When everyone applies the same guidelines, it enhances both the objectivity and safety of the sport.

We look back on a highly successful day, filled with open discussions, valuable knowledge sharing, and a shared ambition: improving medical supervision within full-contact combat sports.

Another training day? As far as we’re concerned absolutely!

Keep an eye on our website and newsletter for announcements of the next edition.

With sporting regards,

Board of the Dutch Combat Sports Federation

Alex Prascevic & Sem Schilt

This past weekend, trainers Jos Brevink, Peter Boer, and Sem Schilt of Fight Game Academy in Zuidlaren took part in an advanced training course offered by Parkinson Boksen Nederland. The course was led by Erwin Lagcher and Christean de Weerd and is part of a nationwide training program for coaches working with people living with Parkinson’s. The key message of the weekend: movement as medicine.

Fight Game Academy has been offering 65+ boxing classes for over three years, in close collaboration with Fysio De Kazerne. The course offered a valuable opportunity to deepen our current approach and align it with the latest developments in the field. Much attention was given to the different stages of the disease and how training can be effectively adapted. The focus is not on the illness, but on the individual — a principle we have embraced for years, and it was encouraging to see that this mindset is shared at a national level.

The training sessions we provide are centered around movement, balance, coordination and joy, always leaving room for each person’s own pace and ability. The course reaffirmed that we are on the right path, but also brought new inspiration. We explored several new exercises and playful methods that we look forward to introducing in our classes soon.

Beyond the educational content, it was also valuable to exchange experiences with other trainers from across the country. Each participant brought their own perspective and approach, which made the weekend not only informative but also truly inspiring.

The 65+ boxing sessions at Fight Game Academy take place on Monday and Friday mornings. Residents of Zuidlaren and the surrounding area who are curious about what this type of movement training can offer are warmly invited to come and try a class.