Low temperatures and high energy prices make a number of sports clubs shudder: ‘But most are prepared’

Take a shower and chat with your teammates after a won game. Until a few months ago you didn’t think about it and as an athlete you just did it. Now, at some sports clubs, the question is whether you are allowed to shower at all. Everything to keep the energy bill low.

“But luckily we as a province are very well prepared when it comes to sustainability”, says Paul van Dijk of Sport Drenthe, hopeful.

The fields are deserted today in Zwartemeer, the ‘boys’ of the village club play most matches there on Sunday. But the board is anything but silent on Saturday. Tonight all members are welcome to watch the Dutch national team on a big screen. “After corona, we are really working on getting extra commotion back in the canteen,” says chairman Peter Muter.

And that’s not only fun, it’s also very nice for the club greenhouse, which already suffered a lot during the pandemic due to a lack of canteen income. But now that the cold months are approaching with energy prices that shock you, there are major money worries again. “The energy bill is the largest cost item. Where it used to be 15,000 euros, now you’re talking about 45,000,” Muter sighs. He is very concerned.

Sports clubs must become more sustainable to get through the winter: (Text continues under video)

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