Small Clubs, Big Goals: Sustainability in Action with SLiS
Forest Green Rovers, established in 1889 proclaims to be the World’s greenest football club. They take sustainability principles seriously. They are aiming to build an eco-park that includes low carbon housing, public transport, cycle paths, electric charging points, eco-friendly grounds maintenance etc. This has opened up lots of sponsorship opportunities and an appreciative fan base, setting them apart from other clubs. Forest Green Rovers implement sustainability on a large scale. However, you do not need to be big to make a difference. Small clubs can make changes that make a difference too.
Two case-study clubs:
Recently joined: Royal Wells FC, a small football club from Southwest London. They use a public football pitch with no other facilities. Also, our previous case-study Wellington Amateurs from Telford (now Telford Town FC). They are a large club who have a clubhouse with changing facilities and a pitch which they maintain. Both clubs completed the green goals sections of SLiS which generated short- & long-term goals/actions.
By signing up to SLiS, the teams were guided by a series of questions which helped them decide what was suitable for their size and ambition for the short term (to complete over a year) or longer term. A report listing tailor made short- and long-term goals with step-by-step actions were sent to their SLiS accounts. This task list helped the teams monitor progress and allowed the account holder to add their own tasks and actions such as delegating jobs to other team members.
“SLiS opened our eyes to the possibilities and opportunities to make small changes to help the club be more sustainable” –Matt Geddis, member of Royal Wells FC
Once a goal is achieved, or where positive steps have already been taken, the teams are rewarded with badges. We look forward to hearing about their progress in future.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” – Vincent Van Gogh
