Empowerment through inclusive sport

In 2024, Les Gazelles de Bruxelles vzw continued to grow as a vibrant, inclusive sports community across Brussels, offering accessible running, walking, dance, fitness, and multisport activities. Together, our 18 sport groups reached 4,111 participations in weekly sessions and 402 participations in local races. The growing interest among women led to the creation of new Afro-Latino dance groups in Anderlecht and Schaarbeek, which quickly became safe and joyful spaces for connection. One participant, a young newcomer who joined our Park Tour & Taxis running group, shared that the weekly sessions helped her “feel at home again” after arriving in Belgium. She now attends regularly and even volunteered at a Sportswitch event. Stories like hers show how movement, community, and encouragement can open new pathways for belonging.

Our second-hand sports clothing shop Sportswitch offering free or very low-cost sports clothing, also saw a major increase in demand. In 2024, 790 people visited the shop, including 370 who accessed clothing for free. About 2,625 items were redistributed thanks to community donations and our growing volunteer team. With the new mobile “Sportswitch on Tour” bike, we brought our concept directly into neighborhoods, schools, and community events, reaching new families who might otherwise never discover us. Across all activities, we continue to build bridges for newcomers, low-income residents, and people in vulnerable situations by offering not only sport, but also connection, confidence, and a welcoming entry point into life in Brussels.

In 2025, Les Gazelles de Bruxelles vzw is taking an important step in its growth by moving to a new location in Anderlecht and creating its first-ever SportHub. It's a safe, inclusive space where newcomers, and community members, especially those in vulnerable situations, can access free and low-threshold sport activities such as running, group dance, and fitness. After ten years operating from a small central-Brussels office, we have continued to reach thousands of individuals through accessible sport and community-building programs. This new SportHub will allow us to expand that mission further by providing a larger, more welcoming environment and a shared space where socially committed coaches can offer regular sessions. Rather than seeing the challenges associated with the Anderlecht area as a barrier, we view this move as a meaningful opportunity to strengthen our presence where accessible sport and connection are most needed.

Despite the challenge of relocating in 2025, we kept all our activities running. Our runners and volunteers took part in most major competitions including the European Championship in Leuven, the iconic 20 km of Brussels, and many more. Our team has expanded to support our existing directions and further develop them from Sportswitch and the Upcycling Champion project to our social work and the broader sports offer we provide in Brussels for the most vulnerable groups.