The FA has launched a sustainability programme as part of a new long-term partnership with E.ON Next, which is dedicated to driving decarbonisation, promoting sustainable practices and reducing energy costs for grassroots football clubs across the country.
The programme, titled ‘Greener Game’, will empower grassroots clubs by providing them with investment opportunities for sustainable upgrades, alongside a wealth of educational resources and energy-saving guides.
Over the five-year programme, grassroots clubs across England will be invited to join the Greener Game by registering online. Upon submission of their club details, they will gain access to an extensive collection of energy-saving resources, including tutorials, case studies and guides tailored to help clubs adopt sustainable practices.
The programme is first working with England Football Accredited three-star clubs. Clubs who are eligible will be invited to provide information, applying for an energy audit. These face-to-face audits will be provided by E.ON Next and assess each club’s energy needs and identify where improvements can be made.
The FA and E.ON Next expect approximately 200 energy audits to be conducted annually across the duration of the programme. Following the energy audit process, club needs will be evaluated, and those who meet the criteria will receive investment, which may include the installation of sustainable energy solutions.
The programme is set to invest £1.5m annually into grassroots football, benefiting around 75-100 clubs each year.
In addition, many more clubs will benefit from energy and cost saving advice and guidance from E.ON Next. Clubs that sign up to the programme will receive the Energy Support Pack, empowering them to make positive changes to their club’s energy needs.
Four clubs have participated in the pilot phase of the programme and are already experiencing significant energy savings, including up to a 25 per cent reduction in annual energy costs through the use of solar power and battery solutions.
Across the pilot clubs, it is estimated that the installations carried out by E.ON Next, in partnership with the FA, could save an average of around £3000 per year, per club, depending on their energy usage.
James Kendall, FA 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: "We are proud to partner with The FA, which through its role in grassroots football is one of the largest networks of community organisations in the world, to drive meaningful change around our shared values.
"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."
Anita Asante, former Lioness and England legend, continued: "I’m excited to join the teams from The FA and E.ON Next in launching the Greener Game. This is all about empowering clubs to take small yet meaningful steps towards sustainability, which will have a lasting impact on their communities. We have a real chance to inspire meaningful change in football. This is not just about immediate improvements; it’s about creating a sustainable future for everyone involved."
