Greener Game gathers national attention

On November 19th, The FA officially launched Greener Game. We will be working in partnership with The FA to help community clubs across England save money and reduce emissions, but recognition of the programme has already begun. It’s fantastic to see such a positive reaction from the worlds of sport, sustainability, and the media more generally. Here are some of our highlights so far: 

On TalkSport, England Legend Stuart Pearce (who in his early career was also an electrician) told presenters ‘I think E.ON are going into a minimum of 100 clubs this year, hopefully more, offering grants with The FA in regard to sustainability and working greener and smarter at club level. Where I am at the moment, Shefford Sports Club, home of Shefford Town and Campton, they’ve got solar panels on the roof, batteries installed, the lighting has been upgraded as well, which saves some money and hopefully they can reinvest that into facilities, into kids, into balls and all that type of thing.’ 

For Forbes, reporter Vitas Carosella wrote that: “With the help of The FA and E.ON Next, clubs across England will be able to keep the lights on and the pitches open — at a lower cost — for the next generation of talent that is eager to play the game.”  While, in the same piece, Former England international and current England U23s coach Anita Asante said the project would help to “ensure young people have access to facilities.” 

Dozens of sport media publications and organisations also pointed out the partnership’s merit and potential, with Global Sustainable Sport noting that: “Four clubs have participated in the pilot phase of the programme, with results including up to a 25% reduction in annual energy costs through the use of solar power and battery solutions.” And Inside World Football quoting that “The initiative aligns with The FA’s broader goals of driving sustainability across all levels of the game while empowering local clubs to make meaningful contributions to environmental preservation.” 

In addition to national and trade media, there was also significant attention in local press up and down the country, with more than 250 local outlets from the Dorset Echo to the Ayr Advertiser covering the “pioneering programme.” 

We couldn’t be more pleased that Greener Game has received such broad coverage, and especially in the regional press, because this is a partnership designed to help grassroots football clubs and the communities they serve wherever they are. 

Go here to find out more.