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Amateur football brings Belgium just over two billion euros a year

Amateur football would bring in some 2.1 billion euros each year to the Belgian economy, according to the scientific study validated by the SROI (Social Return On Investment) and carried out jointly by URBSFA, UEFA, WHO and many representatives of the academic world. The conclusions of this were detailed this Wednesday by URBSFA while amateur football, after long months of hiatus, can gradually resume its activities and regain all its societal value.

We learn in particular that the 400,000 players, young and old, that make up amateur football clubs not only bring more than 420 million euros to our economy, but they also generate more than a billion euros in related benefits. to health. Finally, Belgian football is lowering the crime figures and increasing the employment rate of our fellow citizens, which represents a positive benefit for the economy in the amount of 580 million euros.

“This study perfectly shows that football is not just a sport in which two teams compete. It also has an economic aspect, not to mention the societal benefits it brings and the costs it allows. to avoid and which are invaluable to our society “, says Dr Matteo Balliauw, coordinator of the RBFA Knowledge Center. “Take, for example, the people who are healthier thanks to the practice of this sport. Or the money saved by our society for each individual who turns their back on crime thanks to this sport. Thus, each of the 400,000 footballers that counts Belgium brings our company around 5,300 euros. “

The happiness that football brings estimated at 1 billion euros

The most important added value football brings to our society is in the mental well-being of the players. According to the study, Belgian footballers are willing to pay around 3.752 euros to experience happiness equivalent to that experienced when playing football. If we consider that there are 400,000 footballers in Belgium, the happiness that football brings represents therefore 1 billion euros. Besides the mental aspect, football also allows players to avoid contracting certain diseases more often than those who do not.

“Thanks to football, our country has some 10,000 fewer diabetics, which represents a saving of more than 41 million euros per year for our society. The risks of other diseases such as hypertension, different types of cancer, a stroke, depression and anxiety disorders decrease thanks to football. The estimated 7 million euros for injuries resulting from football are no match and have been included in the model. “, adds Dr Matteo Balliauw.

350 million euros in equipment, food and travel

Football contributes around 120 million euros to the gross domestic product of our country. This is because, thanks to football, more people take training or a specific course, then go to school and work. This sport also allows some Belgians to avoid being tempted by crime, which again represents some cost savings for society. If we add to this the equivalent of the unpaid work of all the volunteers active in football who save some 460 million euros in expenses for their clubs and who allow the sport to take root a little more every day in society, the social repercussions of football here amount to 580 million euros. To which we must also add 420 million euros considering only the participation of football in the economy.

“With regard to the contribution of football to the economy, we must look beyond the allowances and remuneration paid to administrative staff, referees and coaches. We must indeed also include the expenses of amateur players for their equipment, their food and travel. This represents a total of nearly 350 million euros for the 400,000 Belgian players. Finally, let’s not forget the investments in football fields and their rental, ie 72 million euros. “

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