Better management through Green Deal sports domains

The way sports facilities are managed and maintained is changing (best) radically. Nature-inclusiveness, or the integration of nature, plays a prominent role in this. An initiative such as Green Deal Sports Domains offers targeted support for this to both sports and green services. 

Green Deal Sport Domains aims not only to make sport domains more environmentally friendly, but also to improve the quality and well-being of athletes and the surrounding nature. It is supported by a wide range of partners, including government agencies such as Sport Flanders and the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), sector organizations such as the Flemish Sports Federation (VSF) and Netwerk Lokaal Sportbeleid, as well as numerous private actors. These collaborations are crucial to achieve the objectives. By sharing knowledge and resources, a common strategy is developed that benefits all stakeholders. 

Greener view of maintenance specifications

David Nassen, Green Deal Sports Domains project coordinator: "In addition to technological innovations and partnerships, the Green Deal is also strongly committed to education and awareness. By organizing networking events and conferences, stakeholders within the sports sector are educated and informed about sustainable practices. This educational aspect is essential to achieve a lasting impact."

"And we too are learning as we go along. We especially noticed that when drawing up specifications for the maintenance and/or (re)construction of sports grounds (natural grass fields, tennis courts, athletics tracks, petanque grounds, etc.) there were still a lot of challenges. "

"Many maintenance specifications focus primarily on price and not the quality or environmental friendliness of the work. "

"For example, specifications are still too often drawn up according to the number of times mowing, sanding, .... And not according to quality or even effective results, afterwards. This can obviously be done much better."

Flexibility and cooperation

The Green Deal Sports Domains offers practical solutions to these challenges. An integrated approach, where soil, biodiversity and water management are included in any maintenance plan, is central. This not only looks at the technical aspects, such as the right choice of grass species or irrigation systems, but also a broader involvement of all stakeholders, from local authorities to sports clubs and local residents. "This new approach requires another change in the way specifications are drawn up," David Nassen continues. 

"Instead of rigid specifications, the Green Deal advocates flexible specifications that allow for adjustments based on real-time monitoring of sports field conditions. This approach not only promotes more sustainable management, but also encourages dialogue between managers/clients and contractors on best practices. Because not infrequently there is a solid knowledge gap there. And we try to overcome that by encouraging a faster and better exchange of information. The latter, of course, also applies to municipal/urban green services and sports services among themselves. Often, maintenance of sports fields does not take environmental greenery into account, and vice versa. This ensures that not enough consideration is given to the overall picture of flora in a municipality/city."

The role of education in sustainable sport domains

"The implementation of the Green Deal Sports Domains in Flanders is an example of how focused collaboration and innovative policy making can lead to significant improvements in the sustainability of sports infrastructure. With the right attention to detail and a commitment to environmental responsibility, we can create a healthy and sustainable sports environment that benefits everyone," David Nassen concluded.

Important! As a co-initiator of Green Deal Sportdomeinen, Netwerk Lokaal Sportbeleid, together with the Flemish Environment Agency, Sport Flanders, Flemish Sport Federation and Has Hogeschool, is offering a training course in water management and housekeeping for Flemish greenkeepers, groundsmen, sports groundskeepers, ... 

This training took place on June 1 and June 25, at Sport Vlaanderen Genk and Herentals, respectively.