Flemish Community Commission and Les Gazelles de Bruxelles join forces for second-hand and give-away sportswear store “Sportswitch”
“We want to do our utmost to make it as easy as possible to start practising sports”
A lack of sportswear is one of the main obstacles for people in a vulnerable situation to start practising sports. That is why the Flemish Community Commission VGC, together with running club “Les Gazelles de Bruxelles”, is launching “Sportswitch”, a second-hand and give-away sportswear store.
“Exercising is not only good for our health, it also brings people together. We want to do our utmost to make it as easy as possible to start practising sports. The new second-hand and give-away sportswear store will make sports more accessible for many people, provide employment and offer a place where sports enthusiasts can engage with each other,” said VGC college member for Sport, Youth and Culture Pascal Smet.
The last few years both the sports sector and the VGC already took several initiatives to compensate registration fees of sports activities for people with a limited income, which lowered the financial threshold to register. But people living in poverty indicated that every additional cost on top of the registration fee creates a problem. On 29 January, Les Gazelles de Bruxelles will therefore open “Sportswitch”, a second-hand and give-away sportswear store.
The store
Sportswitch is both a web shop and a physical store where every Brusseler can go for sportswear. Payment is done by using a stamp card. Brusselers with the preferential reimbursement status receive one stamp card free of charge every year. Other Brusselers will have to pay €15 for the same card. In addition, the link with Paspartoe is made by creating Paspartoe cards. These cards can be used to earn points and exchange them.
The store is the result of a close cooperation between the VGC and Les Gazelles de Bruxelles. The volunteers of Les Gazelles de Bruxelles will be running the shop and look forward welcome all visitors with a free hot cup of tea or coffee.
The shop opens on Saturday 29 January. All practical information to configure your new sports outfit or to donate your old one can be found here.
A circular hub
By giving a second life to sportswear, the VGC and Les Gazelles encourage as many Brusselers as possible to exercise and practise sports for life. Clothes are initially collected via collection boxes at several Brussels (sports) locations. The physical store is located on the site of community centre Nekkersdal, where people can already benefit of similar initiatives, such as the lending services “Fietsbieb” and “Babytheek”.
Les Gazelles de Bruxelles
As a running organisation with a focus on disadvantaged groups, Les Gazelles de Bruxelles have experienced the need for sportswear. This need has also often emerged in their cooperation with other partners. They have already developed a limited supply of running shoes and clothes for their own sportsmen and women. As a club, in cooperation with the VGC sports service, they now take the step to a larger offer for a larger public.
"Les Gazelles does not only exist to encourage people to practise sports; we also show the city of Brussels to newcomers, and thus have an entry point to make young people aware of local customs and let them find a home in being together. Of course, in order to achieve this, the basic needs must first be met,” said Nejib Murad, team coach at Les Gazelles.
In order to offer opportunities to as many Brusselers as possible, Les Gazelles De Bruxelles have many crucial partnerships that they can mobilise when needed. Because of the scale, added value and ambition of the overall club operation, the VGC decided to double their structural funds from 2022 onwards.
