November 20 – The English Football Association has unveiled a new sustainability initiative in partnership with energy supplier E.ON Next, aiming to support grassroots football clubs across England in reducing their carbon footprint, adopting sustainable practices, and lowering energy costs.
The programme, named ‘Greener Game’, will offer clubs access to funding for sustainable upgrades while equipping clubs with comprehensive educational resources and energy-saving guides.
Over the next five years, grassroots clubs will be invited to participate by registering online. Once enrolled, the FA say they will have access to a range of tools, including step-by-step tutorials, practical case studies, and tailored guides, designed to assist in implementing environmentally friendly practices.
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.
The programme is set to invest £1.5 million annually into grassroots football, benefiting around 75-100 clubs each year.
James Kendall, The FA’s Director of Football Development, said: “Launching our new Greener Game programme marks another significant milestone for grassroots football and sustainability. Our partnership with E.ON Next allows us to give grassroots clubs practical tools and knowledge to embrace energy-efficient practices that will not only improve their operations and benefit the environment, but will also enable them to save money.
“This new programme is a true reflection of our commitment to creating a sustainable future for the sport we love. We have already seen the fantastic progress made by our Greener Game pilot clubs, and we can’t wait to see how we can support even more across the country through this programme.”
Scott Somerville, E.ON UK’s Director of External Affairs, added: “The positive impact we’ve already seen shows how small actions can lead to significant benefits for clubs and their communities. We are looking forward to expanding our reach to even more clubs, supporting their efforts that help them to give even greater community access as well as a more sustainable future.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732171546labto1732171546ofdlr1732171546owedi1732171546sni@g1732171546niwe.1732171546yrrah1732171546