Keen to go green? There are lots of things that sports clubs can do to be more environmentally friendly.
To provide you with some inspiration, we take a look at seven sports clubs and organisations across Wales who are all making strides to be more sustainable.
What can your club do to be more environmentally friendly?
Take an Energy Report
Cricket Wales gets serious about energy
Four cricket clubs in Torfaen are taking part in an energy saving pilot. Inspired by WSA’s Sustainability conference last year, Cricket Wales decided it was high time it knew more about a club’s individual carbon footprint.
It is now commissioning Energy Saving Reports for four different clubs and, through its ECB County Grants Fund, it will then spend £10,000 on energy saving measures at each club.
Facilities Investment Manager Victoria Jones says: “We’ll be able to pinpoint exactly which measures will make the biggest difference and then we’ll be able to inject some funding into the clubs. Not only will the clubs be able to reduce their bills, they will also cut their carbon footprint.”
Pick up litter and reuse event materials
The bike club blazing a trail
Oneplanet Adventure Bike Club in Llandegla is steering its way towards a greener future. For Mary Hext, it all starts with enjoying and respecting the environment around you:
“As coaches, we are role models in our behaviour; picking up litter, fixing inner tubes rather than throwing them away and sharing second-hand cycle clothing and parts. We encourage our kids club to explore and enjoy our local areas but at the same time respect the environment."
Mary has also been a leading voice to encourage more of a regional spread of Welsh Cycling races to reduce mileage. Course tape and competition number boards are reused where possible and cable ties, that were used to attach the number boards, have been swapped in favour of biodegradable string. Of course, equipping young people with the skills to ride a bike will also hopefully lead to more sustainable travel in the future.
Reward and celebrate sustainability heroes
Fell runners champion sustainability
The Welsh Fell Runners Association celebrates the work of its community across Wales and the borders in sustainability and environmental issues. Its Environment Awards include categories for race organisers who are leading the way in making their fell races more sustainable.
Winners even receive a free year’s membership and money to spend on making further improvements in sustainability.
The organisation has also appointed an Environment Officer and published its Climate Change and Environment Guidance.
