The HollandBelgium Bid, the joint Belgian and Dutch bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups™, has launched www.JoinTheWave.nl and www.JoinTheWave.be. Fans of the Dutch and Belgian national teams can create a virtual Wave with the most colourful supporters in international football by uploading their videos to the site.

JoinTheWave is a website by and for the supporters of Oranje and the Red Devils. Together they can create their own virtual Wave by uploading and sharing their home-made Wave videos. In doing so, the fans, who are very popular in their own countries and abroad where they are considered the best football fans in the world, show the essence of a FIFA World Cup™: a celebration of football by fans and football players.

JoinTheWave is an initiative of The HollandBelgium Bid and its partners. The website will remain online up to and including 2 December – the date on which FIFA announces who will organize the 2018 and 2022 World Cups™. All the videos uploaded in Belgium and the Netherlands are linked with one another in one big virtual wave and can be easily shared on popular social media sites in Belgium and the Netherlands such as Hyves, Twitter, Facebook and Netlog.

Big names endorse The Wave

As Ambassador of The HollandBelgium Bid, tennis player Justine Henin is a staunch defender of the fans of the Red Devils and Oranje: “Major sporting events provide a stimulus in every possible way. But top sports and top fans go hand in hand. Should the FIFA World Cup™ come to Belgium and the Netherlands, then this would be a great gift for our fans. At any rate it is a great idea to have football fans create a joint wave in light of our bid. That is why I am also joining in.”

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a former captain of Oranje, calls on football fans to join in the fun: “During the last FIFA World Cup™ I experienced first-hand how important the support of our fans is. They contribute to a great atmosphere, inside but also outside the stadium. And people do notice. The FIFA World Cup™ should come to our countries, precisely for all the football fans out there.”

Jean-Marie Pfaff, a former goalkeeper for the Red Devils, says: “I know what happens to a country when a FIFA World Cup™ is held there. I would love to experience those feelings and that enthusiasm in Belgium and the Netherlands. I am glad that we can use this online initiative to show FIFA that we have the best fans, who will welcome football players and football fans from all over the world with open arms and ensure that they will enjoy a fantastic FIFA World Cup™.”

Research conducted by Eneco points emphatically to options provided by the River Maas

It may be possible for the most sustainable stadium in Europe to be built on the banks of the Nieuwe Maas by 2017. A reduction in CO2 emissions of almost 60% is feasible with respect to the most advanced stadiums currently in existence. It would even be possible to achieve energy neutrality using wind energy within the stadium’s surrounding areas. These are the latest research results released by utility company Eneco on behalf of Stadion Feijenoord NV.

Bayern München’s multi-purpose stadium, the Allianz Arena, was used as a basis for the research along with several other stadiums. Various systems including lighting, pitch construction, restaurants and fan zones were compared with current options for a new stadium. Energy-saving lighting technology could contribute significantly to a reduction in CO2 emissions, as well as residual heat utilisation from industry.The waters of the River Maas that flow past the proposed site could act as the new Rotterdam stadium’s and surrounding park’s cooling supply. It is anticipated that in five or so year’s time the options available for solar panels will have developed to the extent that they could be implemented at the new stadium on a large scale. Biomass and wind energy options were also investigated. Using these energy sources or purchasing residual requirements as green electricity could even make the stadium energy neutral. Given the impact on its surroundings, biomass power generation does not seem a likely candidate, but wind energy on the other hand offers definite opportunities.

According to Eneco, the stadium can certainly comply with Rotterdam City Council’s climate objectives. Subject to proper cooperation between Rotterdam City Council, Stadion Feijenoord NV, Eneco and any other parties involved, it seems that the construction of the first ever energy-neutral stadium is possible. Rotterdam City Council’s objectives to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% with respect to the latest stadiums certainly seem feasible and economically viable. Even an energy-neutral stadium using wind power is a viable proposition.

“We purposely didn’t limit our research to the Netherlands. We visited several stadiums throughout Europe to gather as much information as possible. These not only examined the technologies used, but also the way in which the parties involved cooperated with one another,” explains Rens Knegt, Eneco Shared Energy Solutions Director. Stadium Director, Jan van Merwijk adds, “Our new stadium should be one of the most advanced stadiums in Europe. Of course, it will play a prominent role by virtue of its capacity and allure, but by seizing the opportunities available to us by becoming fully sustainable, we’ll be able to demonstrate our corporate social responsibility.”

Source: Eneco

AMSTERDAM – Sport has grown from a mere leisure pursuit to big business. Physical exercise is playing an increasingly important role in the national economy. Consumer spending has grown twice as much as the GDP over the past twenty-five years.

Research conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that the sports sector accounts for 2.3% of total consumer spending and 1.8% of employment in the UK. Recent research in the Netherlands revealed figures amounting to 0.9% of consumer spending and 1.3% of employment.

Ruud Koning – Professor of Sports Sciences at the University of Groningen – understands this difference. The UK is currently preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games, “… and professional football also involves far higher sums of money in the UK.”

Football is the predominant sport and makes the largest contribution to growth within the sports sector, but more costly sports such as tennis and golf also account for a growing market share. In the UK, large sums of money are also involved in sports such as cricket, rugby and horseracing. Koning also states that sport is increasingly being run by private businesses. In the past, sports facilities were financed by government, but nowadays this is more often a private sector affair, e.g. fitness centres and golf courses.

Sports article and sportswear spending has risen enormously over the past twenty-five years, as has spending on subscriptions to special TV sports channels.

In the UK, consumer spending on sports rose 138% from 1985 to 2010 totalling £17.8 billion (€22 billion). Approximately 441,000 people are currently employed in the UK sports sector.

Research conducted last year by the Policy Research Company in the Netherlands on behalf of the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Health, Welfare and Sport revealed that direct expenditure on sport totalled €9.6 billion. Consumers accounted for €6.4 billion and sponsors the remainder. Since 1988, there has been a growth of 200%, whereas the GDP has grown just over 100% in the same period. Not only are sports being practised more actively, but more sport is also being watched. Television viewing time for sport has doubled. Approximately 15% of viewing time goes to sports broadcasts.

Koning believes that the importance of the sector for the economy will only continue to grow in the years ahead. “People have more free time and are leading healthier lifestyles. This is resulting in an increased interest in sports.” Additionally, the Netherlands is one of the bidding nations to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ and the 2028 Olympic Games.

FIFA World Cup™ sponsorship bears fruit, say multinationals
Sponsoring the FIFA World Cup™ converts directly into hard cash. Budweiser, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s are highly satisfied with the results that the FIFA World Cup™ generated.

These three companies each pay $25 million per year to FIFA for exclusive sponsorship contracts and they believe this is money well spent. Sales of beer, cola and fast food grew thanks to the event. Budweiser sold 20% more beer in the UK during the FIFA World Cup™. Even in China, the tournament was avidly watched and beer sales rose as a result. Coca-Cola stated that turnover in soft drinks in South America rose by 7% thanks to the FIFA World Cup™. McDonald’s profited well and was able to achieve major increases in turnover in the UK and other countries with special promotions relating to the football tournament. Yet on the other hand, it remained remarkably quiet in the fast-food restaurants during the matches themselves. “Europeans prefer to watch football at home and most matches were held during supper time. This was detrimental to our turnover,” McDonald’s stated. (De Volkskrant – 17 August 2010)

The FIFA Inspection Committee rounded off its four-day visit to Belgium and the Netherlands today in the Amsterdam ArenA.

Ruud Gullit, The HollandBelgium Bid President, was the first to take to the floor. He spoke about the football clinic that The HollandBelgium Bid had organised for the children at the Kenyan MYSA (Mathare Youth Sports Association), the largest self-help organisation for youth sport and social services in Africa. The KNVB is working together with MYSA to train coaches. MYSA and its coaches are a prime example of how The HollandBelgium Bid’s WorldCoaches programme – one of The Bid’s seven Great Goals – could develop.

FIFA Inspection Committee Chairman, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, then took to the floor. He stated that it was an honour to have visited two nations that had been so instrumental in founding FIFA. In the past four days, he believed that the inspection committee had gained a good impression of the two countries during its visit to stadiums, training facilities, hotels and conference centres, and that the two nations could no longer be regarded as small nations. Especially given their perfect infrastructure: first-class airports, state-of-the-art motorway systems and of course the countless bicycles.

Mayne-Nicholls also stated that he was delighted that both governments were giving their fullest support, as were Ruud Gullit, Justine Henin, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Paul Van Himst, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Aron Winter. He also emphasised the important programmes that Belgium and the Netherlands had set up such as WorldCoaches and Open Football Clubs. These were fully aligned with FIFA’s own concept that football is more than just ninety minutes on a pitch.

Following Harold Mayne-Nicholls’ speech, Gullit, Mayne-Nicholls and the MYSA children kicked off the start of the football clinic.

Earlier today, the inspection committee visited the RAI Exhibition Centre and various hotels in Amsterdam.

The FIFA Inspection Committee visited the Phillips Stadium in Eindhoven this morning. Members of the committee and The Bid rode to the stadium by bicycle.

Harry Been, The HollandBelgium Bid CEO, opened the day’s proceedings. Tiny Sanders (PSV Chairman), Edu Jansing (director of the ‘Meer dan Voetbal’ foundation), Joost Helms (Eindhoven City Councillor) and Peter Kentie (PSV Marketing & Media Manager) also took the floor.

Following the presentation – lasting approximately one hour – the group then went on a guided tour and were taken completely by surprise by the year ‘2018′ formed on the pitch by children from the PSV Phoxy Club.

In the afternoon, the delegation visisted Rotterdam and The Hague for a meeting with Prime Minister Balkenende.

Brussels, 9 August 2010 – The HollandBelgium Bid, the joint Belgian and Dutch bid for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™, has today received the FIFA inspection team in Brussels. The Bid officials and bid ambassadors Justine Henin, Jean-Marie Pfaff and Paul Van Himst welcomed the team at the Brussels Expo-Atomium.

The five members of the FIFA team will travel through Belgium and The Netherlands to inspect the stadiums, accommodation and infrastructure for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup. Harold Mayne-Nicholls, head of the FIFA inspection team, made a statement in Brussels. He mentioned that he was impressed to be welcomed by sports stars with such an international allure.

International bid ambassador Justine Henin welcomed the delegation on behalf of The HollandBelgium Bid. She emphasized Belgium’s and the Netherlands’ great experience in organizing major sports events, including EURO 2000.

The inspection team is travelling until Thursday 12 August to Antwerp, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, amongst other locations.

Eindhoven (NL), 06 August 2010 – The FIFA Inspection Committee that will be arriving in Belgium on Monday to inspect stadiums, accommodation and infrastructure for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ will be welcomed at Brussels Expo (Palace 5) by The Bid’s ambassadors Justine Henin, Jean-Marie Pfaff and Paul Van Himst, and members of The HollandBelgium Bid management team.

Ruud Gullit, The HollandBelgium Bid President, will be joining the delegation as of Wednesday. Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the head of the FIFA Inspection Committee, will make a brief statement in Brussels.

The FIFA Inspection Committee will then tour through Belgium and the Netherlands and visit a number of cities including Antwerp, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. There will be several video and photo opportunities during receptions with Belgian and Dutch Prime Ministers Leterme (Lambermont, Tuesday at 10.00) and Balkenende (Buitenhof 19, Wednesday at 15.45), and during visits to the PSV and Amsterdam ArenA stadiums (Wednesday, 9.00 and Thursday 14.30 respectively).

Harold Mayne-Nicholls will make a closing statement in the Amsterdam ArenA which will be followed by a press conference with Ruud Gullit and Harry Been, The HollandBelgium Bid President and CEO respectively.

In the national training facilities of the Belgian Football association in Tubize the first Football Kick-Off was held. About 200 people with mental or physical disabilities took part. They played in the kits of Belgian first and second division clubs and were coached by a number of top trainers and icons of Belgian football, such as Ariel Jacobs (Anderlecht), Adrie Koster (Club Brugge), Jules Verriest (Cercle Brugge), Danny Boffin (Sint-Truiden), Gunther Schepens (AA Ghent), Luc Millecamps (Zulte-Waregem), Ronny Vangeneugden (OH Leuven), Vital Borkelmans (Dender), Dirk Geeraerd (Waasland-Beveren) and Frank Dauwen (Westerlo). Special guests were chairman of the Belgian football association François De Keersmaecker and national coach Georges Leekens.

The Football Kick-Off formula has been around for almost 20 years in the Netherlands. It is therefore not surprising that the Football Kick-Off was given a special mention in the Bid Book drawn up by the Netherlands and Belgium for their joint bid for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™.’Everyone’s entitled to a World Cup’, is the organisation’s motto, and rightly so.

Eindhoven, 26 July 2010 - The HollandBelgium Bid, the joint Belgian and Dutch bid for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™, welcomes the FIFA inspection team from 9 August to 12 August. This team will inspect the stadiums, accommodation, infrastructure, etc.

Programme of the FIFA inspection team:

Monday 9 August
- Arrival in Brussels at Zaventem
- Visit to Brussels Expo
- Press release and photo opportunity on the site in front of Brussels Expo at 16.00

Tuesday 10 August
- Meeting in Brussels town hall
- Visit Belgian Prime Minister
- Visit base camp and training accommodation near Brussels
- Visit to Antwerp

Wednesday 11 August
- Visit to Eindhoven Philips Stadium
- Visit to Rotterdam De Kuip
- Visit Dutch Prime Minister

Thursday 12 August
- Visit to Amsterdam hotels
- Visit to RAI
- Visit to Amsterdam ArenA
- Press release in the Amsterdam ArenA at 14.30.
- Departure from Schiphol.

Provisional government calculations show that the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa has generated almost ten billion euro in revenue. According to the Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad, foreign visitors’ hotel accommodation, domestic flights, trips, souvenirs etc. accounted for around 1.2 billion euro. Visa recorded 65% more electronic payments (approx. 51,000 transactions a day) during the first three weeks of June.

According to a spokesperson for the South African government, one of the tournament’s main merits was the fact that it boosted confidence in South Africa both internationally and locally. Moreover, local businesses and South African consumers have gained more confidence in the country’s economy. Recent data from the South African Chamber of Commerce revealed that the South African consumer confidence index had risen from 82 to 84.8 points between May and the first week of July.

The South African government predicts that in the years to come, tourism—which accounts for 8.2% of the gross domestic product—will benefit the most from the tournament. “The FIFA World Cup™ showed billions of people all over the world what South Africa has to offer, for example in terms of tourism. We expect to see the fruits of this event in the years to come”, said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African Minister of Tourism, in a speech earlier this week.

This is confirmed by several studies. A FIFA World Cup™ survey carried out by the Western Cape provincial government, one of South Africa’s main tourist destinations, shows that 98% of respondents would return to South Africa. Two thirds of these indicated that they would bring friends and family who had stayed at home.

A survey carried out by research agency African Response shows the same result. “More than 92% of the 755 people we interviewed indicated that they would recommend South Africa to friends and family back home”, explained Beatrice Kubheka, Managing Director. “What’s more, 96% would like to return. That’s great news for our future as a holiday and investment destination.” (Source: Het Financieele Dagblad)