Football clubs across the West Midlands score funding for green initiatives
Grassroots football clubs secure funding for green projects thanks to Unity Trust Bank and Birmingham County FA
Ten grassroots football clubs across the West Midlands have received funding for environmental projects after Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA) teamed up with Unity Trust Bank.
A total of £12,500 has been awarded through BCFA's Green Innovation Fund to support initiatives including recycling, wildlife preservation, energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting and car sharing.
The grants form part of BCFA's Save Today, Play Tomorrow programme, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of grassroots football while supporting clubs to become more sustainable.
Among the clubs to receive funding is Leafield Ladies in Solihull, which has more than 200 women and girls registered across a range of age groups.
The club plans to use the grant to improve local biodiversity by planting wildflowers around its grounds and woodland areas, while continuing its efforts to collect rainwater for maintaining its pitches during dry weather.
Sarah Mills, secretary of Leafield Ladies, said: "We have a big focus on environmental education and this grant funding will help us provide wildflower seeds to enhance the surrounding woodland area, which includes bug houses.
"We have also invested in a large tank to capture rainwater at our clubhouse which we can use to water our grass when national supplies run low during hot weather."
Unity Trust Bank sponsored this year's Green Innovation Fund after both organisations received the King's Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2024.
Colin Fyfe, chief executive of Unity Trust Bank, said: "Everyone can play their part in addressing today's environmental challenges and we're delighted to support BCFA's Green Innovation Fund.
"Hearing how grassroots football clubs in the West Midlands are proactively implementing sustainability programmes is inspiring."
BCFA supports more than 900 grassroots football clubs and over 6,200 teams across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire. Since the Green Innovation Fund was launched in the 2022/23 season, more than 150 affiliated clubs have received support.
Other clubs receiving grants this year include Silhill FC, Wake Green, Sparkhill United Veterans, Prinny, Forest Falcons, FC Equalise, Cradley Town, Bournville Warriors, Bedworth Eagles and 3C's United.
Kevin Shoemake, chief executive of BCFA, said: "We are very grateful for Unity's support to help grassroots football clubs reduce their environmental impact.
"We want the game to develop and thrive in a sustainable way so that future generations of players, coaches, volunteers and spectators can benefit each week."