NDC Foot Angers accelerates its ecological transition

Soccer is much more than just a sport: it's a powerful lever for mobilization and awareness-raising. Aware of its impact, NDC Angers, a member of Football Écologie France, has embarked on a genuine ecological transition process. With a structured approach and concrete actions, the club is demonstrating that it is possible to combine a passion for football with respect for the environment.

Shortly after joining the club, NDC Foot Angers set up a Sustainable Development Commission to structure its project and facilitate its dissemination to all stakeholders. Thanks to effective communication and a unifying approach, ecology is now at the heart of the club's project, both internally and with its partners and the town.

"The Sustainable Development Commission is made up of an employee, a civic service worker, two CODIR members and seven parent volunteers. Its mission revolves around 4 areas of interest: mobility, waste management, food and infrastructure. In conjunction with FEF's support and monitoring, we have drawn up an action plan for the period 2024-2028."

Georges Boutier (Sustainable Development Commission Manager)

Far from contenting itself with good intentions, NDC Foot Angers has already implemented several strong initiatives:

• "Locker room captains" for the U11s: 2 captains are appointed each week to ensure that the team respects day-to-day etiquette (time spent in the shower, cleanliness of the locker room, etc.).

• Installation of sorting bins and composting facilities to improve waste management.

• Use of eco-responsible and local cleaning products

• Awareness-raising displays at club facilities

• Organization of a clothing exchange to extend the life of sports equipment.

• Participation in World Cleanup Day 2024

• 2025 "Football & Environmental Protection" course for club youngsters during school vacations

Another decision, particularly rare in the world of soccer: the club has decided to do away with sponsor printing on its shirts! This commitment by the club will enable the equipment to last longer than a single season, since without sponsors, there's no need to renew it each season to match the club's new sponsors.

At the same time, there's no need to worry about the club's revenues. The club will be promoting its partners through other media, and they're not worried - most of them have even backed the move.

"This adaptation will enable us to keep the shirts for longer, if they hold up well, and thus work towards sustainability. Constructive discussions with some of our partners, and their sensitivity to these issues, have only strengthened us in this direction." Xavier Baudouin (President NDC Foot Angers)

On the strength of these initial advances, NDC Foot Angers has no intention of stopping there. Several projects are already in the pipeline to take things even further:

• Organization of an eco-responsible "Trophées de l'Avenir" tournament on June 21 & 22.

• Ecological fresco workshops to raise awareness among young players and educators.

• Ecological diagnosis carried out by the club and FEF teams, to identify priority areas for action.

NDC Foot Angers has established itself as a committed player in eco-responsible soccer. At the forthcoming General Meeting of Football Écologie France, the club will present in detail its OSR strategy, a structuring project that could inspire other clubs to follow the same path.