To find out, Observant spoke with board members of eighteen student sports clubs during the INKOM introduction week, when university associations present themselves to new students. From large clubs such as Fyrfad (volleyball) and MHSC (field hockey) to smaller ones like Kinran (karate), the response was consistent: all either already have a confidential adviser or are actively seeking one. Advisers are members, sometimes former members, who are not part of the board or any committees. The only exception is Cactus (spikeball/roundnet). “We’ve only got eight members”, they explained apologetically, “and three are already on the board.” Cactus members who would like to talk to someone can instead turn to the UM confidential adviser.
Mandatory workshop
MUSST, the umbrella organisation for UM student sports associations, meets with the clubs twice a year. During these meetings, the presence of confidential advisers is also discussed. In theory, clubs without an adviser could face a small fine, though “this hasn’t happened in recent years”. To emphasise the importance of the role, workshops for new confidential advisers were introduced in 2022 and even became mandatory as of this year, covering topics such as how to handle a conversation with a member who has approached you with a concern and where to refer them for support.
What about the confidential advisers themselves? According to two of the three Observant spoke with, reports are rare. Cedric Pots of the student athletics association UROS said he often chats with fellow members but has never had to step in formally. Similarly, alum Teun Wich of the frisbee association Ultimaas has not yet needed to act in his role as confidential adviser. Ise van Gool of the tennis association Stennis hinted at having dealt with a confidential matter but declined to elaborate. “Let’s just say there’s a reason we’re here.”