Get Ready to Rethink Sports in Romania
Hey, wait a minute!
How do you feel about sports? What’s your relationship and experience with sport? What is your favorite discipline? Do you train often? Do you know how important it is for your body and mind? But for your environment?
Now, what if I told you how most people feel about it? What if we worked together to make things better for everyone?
The Current Situation in Romania
Despite the growing awareness of health and fitness worldwide, Romania’s participation in sports remains surprisingly low. According to recent data:
- Gym attendance drops by 30-50% in the summer compared to January.
- Only 9% of Romanians exercise at a fitness center, while 60% prefer to exercise at home.
- Over 20% practice outdoor activities, but 18% consider their commute to work their only physical activity.
The average Romanian goes to the gym only 4 months a year, visiting about 9 times per month. Clearly, there’s room for improvement!
Source: Euronews, January 2024
Opportunities for Change
Let’s look at the bright side! These statistics reveal a massive opportunity to improve Romania’s relationship with sports:
- Over 50% of the active population goes to the gym only in winter—meaning a large segment may prefer outdoor exercise in better weather.
- More than 70% of Romanians don’t practice sports outside their homes—an untapped market that could benefit from urban sports!
- Over 80% of the population doesn’t see sports as part of their daily routine—offering a huge opportunity to promote urban sports as a healthy commuting option.
Root Causes: Why Aren’t Romanians More Active?
To create change, we need to understand why people aren’t more active:
1. Education: A Missing Foundation
In 2018, one-third of Romanian schools didn’t have a gym. For many students, physical education happens outdoors in warm months or not at all during the winter. This gap in basic physical education affects how young people view sports in the long term.
2. Access: Limited Resources
Many Romanians lack access to quality sports infrastructure, safe environments, and proper equipment. Urban sports facilities are either scarce or under-promoted.
3. Safety: A Major Concern
With limited infrastructure and proper safeguards, urban sports are often perceived as unsafe, discouraging participation. This also contributes to traffic congestion and environmental problems, as people opt for cars instead of eco-friendly urban mobility.
Our Mission: Sports for Everyone, Everywhere
At Roll in RO, we believe urban sports have the power to change lives. Beyond fitness, they provide therapeutic, professional, and environmental benefits. Whether for fun or serious training, urban sports allow individuals to connect with their bodies, minds, and communities.
Here’s why urban sports matter:
- Resilience: Regular practitioners develop mental and physical resilience, helping them tackle challenges both on and off the field.
- Community: Urban sports foster a sense of belonging, creating bonds through shared activities.
- Health: They boost immunity, reduce injuries, and promote overall well-being.
- Sustainability: Eco-friendly sports like cycling reduce traffic and pollution, contributing to a healthier planet.
Our Vision for the Future
We aim to achieve:
- a higher % of the urban population practicing sports regularly for mental and physical health.
- a higher % of people using urban sports for eco-friendly mobility.
- a higher number of schools introducing urban sports into their curriculums.
- an increase in public spaces dedicated to urban sports.
- a reduction in traffic and pollution.
- an improvement in health conditions related to inactivity, such as obesity.
How We Can Make This Happen
1. Education: Planting the Seeds for a Healthy Future
We hope to partner with public institutions and local instructors in order to make available and teach urban sports to a larger population, such as:
- Rollerblading
- Cycling
- Scootering
- Skateboarding
We aim to develop educational resources, train instructors and create new career opportunities for passionate athletes and retired professionals, helping them transition into coaching roles in schools.
2. Access: Opening Doors to Everyone
We hope to partner with local authorities in order to create more public spaces dedicated to urban sports (e.g., skate parks, cycling paths) and host engaging events like workshops, competitions, and city exploration tours. We want to look into options for schools to receive funding for sports equipment, ensuring kids from all backgrounds can participate.
3. Safety: Ensuring Security for All
We aim to work with local authorities to regulate traffic laws that protect urban sports practitioners, making the streets safer for everyone. Additionally, safety campaigns will raise awareness about how to safely engage in these sports.
Join the Movement: Let’s Roll in RO Together!
Are you ready to help transform urban sports in Romania? Whether you’re an athlete, teacher, parent, or just a fan of healthy living, you can make a difference. Let’s build a healthier, more active future for Romania.
Have ideas, resources, or connections with the same vision? Contact us and let’s collaborate to ROLL IN RO together!
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