From September 3 to 10, the emblematic Roland-Garros stadium located in Paris plays host for the second time in France to the world championship of padel, a racket sport from Mexico. In line with the values promoted by this fast-growing sport, Veolia is proud to support a young and fun discipline becoming more and more popular in France and abroad.
A booming sport
After a huge success last year, the Greenweez Paris Major Premier Padel returns to Paris with a tournament featuring the world's best players. This global event is held at the Roland-Garros stadium, the temple of tennis, with six courts set up for the event, including the famous Philippe-Chatrier court.
Padel, a hybrid discipline between tennis and squash which originated in Mexico in 1969, is played on a court framed by walls and glass or wire fencing. For this tournament, 56 men's teams and 48 women's teams will be in Paris for top-level matches. A little-known discipline in France, this sport is becoming increasingly popular, with some 20,000 players registered in padel clubs all over the country, and continues to expand, thanks in particular to the Greenweez Paris Major Premier Padel.
A shared DNA
For the first time in its history, Veolia has become an official partner of the Greenweez Paris Major Padel 2023, and a partner of an international Roland Garros tournament. This major double partnership can be explained by the common DNA shared by the tournament’s organiser and Veolia, which promote similar values focused on team spirit, surpassing oneself and the quest for excellence, as well as perseverance and determination.
Friendly by nature, this discipline is also very inclusive as it can be played regardless of level or age. With a target of over 2,000 padel courts in France by 2024 set by the French Tennis Federation (FFT), this sport is proving increasingly accessible with a growth in infrastructure and clubs. With this far-reaching partnership, Veolia is also supporting the development of an up-and-coming sport that is gradually gaining ground, both in France and abroad.
The values advocated by padel are at the heart of Veolia’s culture, world leader in ecological transformation; this sport embodies the collective, with its diversities.
Veolia on the road to 2024
These values are supported on a daily basis by the Group, which develops initiatives and schemes focused around sport and Veolia employees. In 2022, the "Talents & Champions" program was launched to reflect such values, supporting seven top athletes and enabling them to combine sporting excellence, studies while building a professional career.
The program promotes respect for diversity, equal opportunities and the fight against discrimination. The sponsorship program integrates these young athletes into the Group's various entities, enabling them to discover the corporate world while providing them with financial support. For example, their working hours are adapted to their training schedule. Veolia fully supports these athletes in their race to 2024 and victory!
The values of sport are at the heart of Veolia's culture
Sport is a real catalyst for diversity, a gas pedal of cohesion between employees and a lever to build team spirit. Veolia has several thousand employees who share their passion for sport and support each other, echoing the Group's values. Recently, Veolia distinguished itself at the 24th European Championships 2023 by being crowned grand champion with a record of 137 medals!"
"In the Group’s image, our employees show determination and collaboration without giving up to achieve excellence! Our partnership in promoting the Padel Championship is a natural extension of the values that inspire Veolia and all its employees.", explains Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia.