Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885

Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885

Four times Danish champions Aalborg Boldspilklub (AaB) was founded in 1885 with a strong commitment to the values of community and sportsmanship. Recognising football as a powerful social phenomenon that engages people from all walks of life, AaB is dedicated to highlighting and addressing the pressing issues that society faces today. Through its initiatives and sustainable approach, AaB aims to use the influence of football to inspire positive change and foster a sense of responsibility within all of Northern Jutland and connect the region.

AaB af 1885 firmly believes that being a part of the EFDN organisation could help them grow as a club. They want to contribute with their knowledge and help influence a better tomorrow for all football-clubs in the world.  Furthermore, in their opinion, they want to expand their work outside of the field and are sure to do this in cooperation with the EFDN-partners.

The club has two integral components: its professional arm, AaB A/S, and the parent club, AaB af 1885. These two entities are closely intertwined in every aspect of the game, from nurturing and developing players on the pitch to the collective efforts off the pitch to improve their city and region.

Through initiatives such as ‘Hele Nordjyllands Håndsrækning’ (The North Jutland Extension) and ‘Projekt Undgå Madspild’ (Project Avoid Food Waste), AaB aims to create meaningful connections between our supporters and the regional community.

Additionally, AaB af 1885 has established the ‘AaB Kompasset’ (The AaB Compass), which serves as the club’s CSR department. This initiative collaborates with the local government under the slogan ‘Lad bolden vise vejen’ (Let the ball show the way). The ‘Kompasset’ primarily focuses on three key projects: ‘Team Action’ (ages 13-17), ‘AaB-Forløbet’ (The AaB Course) (ages 18-29), and ‘Ventilholdet’ (ages 30-55+).

AaB af 1885 has also made an impact internationally, participating in projects such as the SIDFOOT project, the APPLE project, and the EU TEQ Games project. These initiatives are designed to improve the lives of children and youth in the local area by promoting sport to enhance social inclusion and support mental and physical health.

AaB is committed to making a significant impact within the EFDN Network through various initiatives that leverage football as a tool for social change. By sharing successes in community engagement, youth development, and social inclusion, AaB aims to offer valuable insights to EFDN members. They are eager to participate in and initiate joint projects that address key issues like diversity, racism, and mental health awareness while engaging their passionate fanbase in social responsibility efforts. AaB also plans to promote youth and grassroots development, contribute to research and data sharing, and support environmental sustainability. By strengthening local community partnerships, contributing to EFDN’s online platforms, and fostering cultural exchange, AaB is dedicated to using football to create a positive social impact in the following ways:

1. Sharing Our Community Engagement Successes

We are eager to share our experiences and best practices in community outreach. Our successful initiatives in youth development, health and well-being, social inclusion, and education can provide valuable insights to fellow EFDN members.

2. Participating in and Initiating Joint Projects

AaB is keen to actively participate in and potentially initiate collaborative projects with other EFDN members. We believe that joint campaigns focused on promoting diversity, tackling racism, and improving mental health awareness can significantly enhance the collective impact of EFDN.

3. Engaging Our Fans in Social Responsibility

Our passionate fanbase is a powerful resource for driving social responsibility initiatives. We plan to involve our supporters in volunteer programs, charity events, and awareness campaigns that align with EFDN’s goals, amplifying the impact of these efforts.

4. Promoting Youth and Grassroots Development

AaB is dedicated to youth and grassroots football, and we aim to develop and share programs that align with EFDN’s objectives. These initiatives could include education programs, health campaigns, and efforts to promote fair play and respect among young players.

5. Contributing to Research and Data Sharing

We are prepared to contribute to EFDN’s knowledge base by sharing data and insights from our own CSR initiatives. This will assist in evaluating the effectiveness of various programs and strategies across the network.

6. Supporting Environmental Sustainability

AaB is committed to environmental sustainability and is eager to share our strategies for reducing waste, promoting green energy, and engaging our fans in environmental efforts. We believe these initiatives align well with EFDN’s vision for integrating sustainability into football.

7. Strengthening Local Community Partnerships

We are focused on building strong local partnerships with schools, non-profits, and businesses. By. sharing our approach to community engagement, we aim to inspire other clubs within EFDN to deepen their local ties.

8. Contributing to EFDN’s Online Platforms

AaB is enthusiastic about contributing content to EFDN’s online platforms. We plan to share case studies, articles, and updates on our social initiatives to raise awareness of both our efforts and the broader mission of EFDN.

9. Promoting Cultural Exchange and Inclusion

We are committed to fostering cultural exchange and promoting inclusion, particularly within our multicultural community. By sharing our successful initiatives, we hope to encourage other EFDN members to implement similar programs. AaB is dedicated to leveraging the power of football to create positive social change, and we look forward to playing an active role within EFDN to achieve these shared goals.