Especially in Parkstad A region quite behind national averages in numbers considering health, economic situation, life expectancy and more. In such a place, a Professional Football Club, has a very important social role. For that reason, we developed a sharp social proposition together with Roda JC Kerkrade. Very specifically focused on their own region and where a collective of partners roll up their sleeves under the name: Gezond in Mijn Streek.

The idea behind this? When things go well for the region, things go well for Roda JC. It’s as simple as that. and it should be as simple as that. A club exists by the grace of its supporters. If you take good care of your environment and your supporters, you will get something in return. And the concrete social value demonstrable from the various projects attracts new partners who support this thinking. A consequence of the established vision in a multi-year plan.

Choices

Because when your compass is sharply aligned, many choices become a lot easier and more logical. When you stand for a healthy region, you don’t partner with a gambling sponsor. Then go for fruits and vegetables in schools. You organize exercise activities in your own stadium, at schools and in neighborhoods. You link up with existing sports activities to encourage and raise awareness.

And if you really believe in this, you place it on your shirt. As the ultimate accelerator of this thought process. To give it the priority it deserves and make the region healthier. And it helps the club, too. Because commercial revenues are rising. With that comes more projects for the region. Statements are made from within the club. Like at the game against De Graafschap, raising your voice against the Zuyderland Hospital from disappearing. Supporters understand what the club does for them.

Priceless

But then what is the big vision? That’s what scares you, looking at the amounts. The costs of reduced vitality, healthcare costs, social activities run into the hundreds of millions of euros annually. Every percentage point that Roda JC and its partners take away from that is pure profit for the people in the region. Not only can the value of good health be expressed in euros by now, vitality is felt every minute of your life.

And the minutes when you really feel alive? Now those are the 90 minutes in the Parkstad Limburg Stadion, at Roda JC Ring No. 1.

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