Knowledge is only rumour, until it is in the muscle.

Learning is not only knowledge acquirement; it is about taking action, generating results and mobilising others. An essential component of acquiring knowledge is the willingness to change, reflected in an old New Guinean proverb “Knowledge is only rumour, until it is in the muscle.” With this fundamental idea, the Dutch Association of Sports Medicine (Vereniging voor Sportgeneeskunde)—founded in the Netherlands nearly 50 years ago—started a mission to make Sports Medicine an independent specialty. A task force, established in 2009, was able to gain from their previous experience in 2002, when the specialist application from the VSG was first rejected. Since then, Dutch Sports Medicine has made significant efforts to improve the quality, training, scientific research and reputation of the specialty. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the task force, Sports Medicine is now a recognised specialty in the Netherlands. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport confirmed this decision on 8 April 2014, on the recommendation of the College of Medical Specialties of the doctors’ federation. This is a major milestone in the history of the VSG and it is also the start of a new era for Sports Medicine in the Netherlands. The Dutch sports physicians have to keep their eye on the ball now, as we learned from football that cheering too excessively can cause serious problems. We have to overcome many challenges in providing healthcare for athletes, but I am sure that the board of the Dutch Association of Sports Medicine will flex their muscles to achieve this.