Sustainability: From Conversation to Capital - A Grassroots Perspective.
Leicester Nirvana
In the global discourse surrounding sustainability, there's often a stark divide between conversations and tangible action, particularly within the realm of football. While there's no shortage of discussions about environmental initiatives, social responsibility, and community engagement, translating these dialogues into concrete investments and meaningful change remains a challenge. From the perspective of grassroots football clubs like Leicester Nirvana, it's imperative that we bridge this gap and move from conversation to capital investment to truly drive the sustainability agenda forward.
While corporate sustainability initiatives garner headlines and accolades, the impact on local communities remains limited. It's time to shift our focus towards strategic alignments and pilot schemes that directly involve grassroots organisations in the sustainability agenda. The football world, with its immense reach and influence, has a unique opportunity to lead by example in the agenda of sustainability. One of the key challenges we face is the disparity between the conversations happening at the corporate level and the realities on the ground in grassroots communities.
Professional clubs such as Forest Green Rovers FC are a club leading the way and embedding sustainability across everything they do in an attempt to be the greenest football club in the world. More recently, Oxford United FC announced plans to build what it says would be the first 'all-electric' stadium’ in the country powered solely by electricity. - Using a low-carbon energy supply generated by solar panels.
The new Premier League Environmental Sustainability Commitment, which has faced some criticism for not going far enough, introduces a minimum standard of action to reduce their environmental impact and provide a foundation to underpin long-term environmental ambitions. Much of which Leicester Nirvana are already doing, even at a grassroots level.
However, to drive the sustainability agenda forward, there needs to be a 2 pronged approach and a concerted effort to support grassroots clubs and communities in contributing to sustainability priorities.
This means providing financial assistance, technical support, and access to resources that enable grassroots clubs to implement sustainable practices. Whether it's investing in renewable energy infrastructure, promoting waste reduction and recycling initiatives, or fostering community engagement programs, there's a myriad of ways in which grassroots clubs can contribute to the broader sustainability movement.
The Football Association estimates that each year, 14.1m people play grassroots football in England across all forms and frequencies, with 13.5m people playing regularly. This makes football the most popular team sport in England for children and adults. Therefore, if there is any sport to be targeted and supported from a ground level perspective, it’s grassroots football. This is where we can make the difference.
One effective way to drive the sustainability agenda forward at a grassroots level is through pilot schemes and demonstration projects that showcase the feasibility and impact of sustainable practices at the grassroots level. These pilot projects would serve as test beds for innovation, allowing grassroots clubs to experiment with new technologies, practices, and initiatives in a controlled environment. By investing in these pilot schemes, national investors can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability while also providing valuable insights and learnings that can inform broader initiatives. This could include Universities who are often designing sustainable initiatives.
Meaningful engagement by corporates with grassroots clubs is another key space that is not being explored. This is the sweet spot where ambitions and community giving meet to create a real difference. This is an open invitation for football bodies and corporates to sit down with Leicester Nirvana to discuss the opportunities and pathways of support.
Funding pots that take a strategic approach to sustainability allowing for add on investments to deliver extra weight and long term sustainability. Very often, funding pots are restricted to a set criteria that limits the potential for future movement.
There is also a need for greater accountability and transparency in the allocation of resources towards sustainability initiatives. National investors and football governing bodies must ensure that funding and support are distributed equitably and that grassroots clubs have a seat at the table when decisions are being made. By involving grassroots clubs in the decision-making process, we can ensure that investments are aligned with the needs and priorities of local communities.
Fundamental questions to ask are, Is there a good understand of how the grassroots football community can support the agenda? Is there a blue print or a plan to get them there or even involved? Is there more that funders and governing bodies can do to take a holistic approach to supporting grassroots clubs?
Finance must follow thought in order to move the needle on sustainability.
Leicester Nirvana are advocating for all grassroots clubs, while thinking about sustainability and the transition from conversation to capital investment on a broader scale. This is essential if we are to truly drive the sustainability agenda forward in grassroots football. By making small adjustments in the way businesses and funders work, we can unlock the potential of grassroots football to contribute meaningfully to sustainability goals. It's time to take tangible steps towards a more sustainable future for football and our communities.