RC Lens and Nexans strengthen relationship in the region

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RC Lens
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French Ligue 1 side RC Lens and sustainable electrification company Nexans are extending and expanding their collaboration – in a deal that will undoubtedly bring positives to both parties.

Nexans is a leading electrification company based in Paris that design and manufacture cable systems and services. Nexans have been providing the planet with electricity for over 120 years and are committed to do the same now and in the future.

Nexans pride themselves on providing the best service available for their many clients and are committed to delivering a sustainable energy future.

They are deeply associated in the Hauts de France region where the city of Lens is located. The company have been rooted to this area since 1929. Not only are RC Lens and Nexans from the same geographical area, but both companies share the same set of values and beliefs such as team spirit and commitment. This alignment in values between RC Lens and Nexans makes for a perfect partnership.

Philippe Demarez, director of the Nexans plant in Lens, further highlighted this point in a press release.

‘’The same values of commitment and team spirit drive Nexans employees and the RC Lens teams, so it is perfectly natural to continue the partnership between these two leading regional figures,’’ Demarez said.

This new deal is set to benefit Nexans greatly. During the 2023-2025 football seasons Nexans will be visible at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium (RC Lens home stadium) on matchdays. There will be advertisements on the boards pitch side, visible to both the fans in the stadium and to television audiences.

Also, Nexans will appear on RC Lens’ digital communication. In addition, the Nexans logo will be appear on the front left side of RC Lens’ matchday playing shirt. Ligue 1 is one of the most watched and popular football league in the world; meaning that millions of fans will be exposed to Nexans.

At the time of writing, RC Lens are sitting in third position in Ligue 1. If they can maintain that position or better it, this would result in RC Lens qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for next season. This could greatly benefit Nexans, as the UEFA Champions League is the biggest and most watched European club football competition. This would result in even greater public exposure for Nexans via their deal with RC Lens.

This deal gives RC Lens another source of revenue which is vital to being able to constantly compete at the top of the Ligue 1 table and to be a successfully ran club. The partnership extension between RC Lens and Nexans is set to be a successful one.

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South Canberra FC Breaks the Mold: Equity-Driven Model Earns ‘Club Changer’ Honour

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Image Credit: SCFC

South Canberra Football Club has been named Club Changer of the Month for April, in a recognition that reflects a broader shift across Australian football toward rewarding clubs that are actively dismantling the structural barriers limiting women’s access to the game.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup has just delivered record crowds and unprecedented visibility for women’s football in Australia, and the Club Changer program is now asking what comes next. Its decision to name South Canberra Football Club as Club Changer of the Month for April signals a clear shift in how the program defines contribution: away from participation numbers alone, and toward the equity frameworks that determine whether women stay in the game once they arrive.

South Canberra FC built that framework from the ground up. Established in 2021, the club set out to give women and female-identifying players a safe, inclusive environment to play football at any level. It runs entirely on volunteers, operates as a not-for-profit, and is governed by an all-female committee with 13 of its 14 coaches identifying as female.

 

Building the infrastructure of inclusion

In 2026, the club secured grant funding and put it to work immediately. Two coaches are completing their C Licence qualification, and ten coaches, players and community members have undertaken the Foundations of Football course, which directly tackles the cost and accessibility barriers that exclude women out of coaching pathways.

The club also commissioned a female-specific strength and conditioning program with sports physiotherapists ahead of the 2026 season, targeting injury prevention and explicitly supporting players returning after childbirth.

SCFC’s leadership team draws from LGBTIQ+ individuals, First Nations people and veterans, strengthening the club’s connection to the communities it was built to represent.

The Club Changer program is backing clubs that do this work- clubs that treat equity as infrastructure rather than aspiration. At a moment when Australian football is under pressure to turn its biggest-ever surge of women’s interest into something lasting, SCFC’s model offers a clear answer to the question of how.

How Husqvarna Is Helping Stadiums Cut Costs Without Cutting Quality

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Image Credit: Husqvarna

At a time when operational costs are rising across global sport, stadiums and football clubs are being forced to rethink one of their most overlooked expenses: turf maintenance.

From diesel consumption to labour hours, maintaining elite playing surfaces has traditionally been both resource-intensive and environmentally taxing. But new data emerging from venues like CBUS Super Stadium suggests a smarter, more sustainable model is already taking hold.

Leading that shift is Husqvarna, whose autonomous turf technology is quietly reshaping how professional venues manage their playing surfaces. Their product delivers measurable cost savings without compromising quality.

Cutting fuel consumption costs

At CBUS Super Stadium, the introduction of Husqvarna’s CEORA™ robotic mowing system has reduced diesel usage by approximately 20–30 litres per week. Over the course of a season, those savings compound into a significant reduction in both fuel spend and carbon emissions. This is particularly efficient for stadiums hosting regular fixtures and large-scale events.

CBUS Super Stadium General Manager Kristian Blundell said the robotic mower was a game-changer for the venue:

“This technology is not replacing staff but rather giving our grounds team the ability to do what they do best by helping to improve turf management processes, better manage fatigue and decrease our environmental footprint”

But the impact goes beyond fuel.

 

Time efficiency

By automating routine mowing, Husqvarna’s technology enables grounds teams to focus on higher-value maintenance tasks, from pitch recovery to detailed surface management. The result is not only greater operational efficiency but also improved turf consistency, which is an increasingly critical factor in elite football performance.

The benefits are being mirrored beyond stadium environments. At Oatlands Golf Club, Husqvarna’s autonomous mowing has delivered savings of up to 60 litres of fuel per week while freeing up staff for precision work. Quiet, round-the-clock operation also ensures surfaces are maintained without disrupting play—an advantage that translates directly to multi-use stadium settings.

Image Credit: Husqvarna

Importantly, Husqvarna’s lightweight robotic systems reduce the wear and tear typically caused by traditional heavy machinery. This not only protects the integrity of the playing surface but also reduces the need for costly repairs over time.

Football clubs navigating tight budgets at grassroots and semi-professional levels could benefit from such cost savings.

With rising energy prices, increasing sustainability expectations, and limited staffing resources, the ability to cut costs while improving performance is no longer optional. Solutions like Husqvarna’s CEORA™ are positioning clubs to operate more efficiently today, while preparing for a more environmentally accountable future.

As the sports industry continues to evolve, one thing is becoming clear: the next competitive edge may not just come from what happens on the pitch—but how it’s maintained.

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