What is the Green Club Programme?
The Green Club Programme was established to support Gaelic Games clubs in taking simple and effective sustainability action in their grounds and activities. The Programme is structured around the themes of Energy, Water, Waste, Biodiversity and Travel & Transport and is designed to promote sustainability awareness and action in GAA clubs and communities.
Phase 1 of the Green Club Programme ran from 2021 to 2023 with the participation of over 30 clubs from across Ireland. These trail-blazing Green Clubs established Green Teams, carried out club audits and engaged in exciting sustainability partnerships and projects.
Introduction
With 2,500 members, St Colmcilles is the largest GAA club in Meath.
Our facilities have an average weekly footfall of 3,500 people and our facilities are used by our community, our 6 local primary schools and 3 second level schools who have lifelong access to our grounds.
We are a club that recognises the value and importance of what our community give to us, but also that we have a social responsibility by choice to protect and give back to our community.
What is a green club strategy?
The strategy will seek to lay out the grounds for developing and growing a comprehensive programme that supports a positive sustainable Green Club policy, which fully engages our membership and welcomes the wider community to take part in activities associated with the GREEN CLUB goals.
This will involve
Setting up a GREEN TEAM
Starting SMALL – every little helps
Club Membership CONTRIBUTION – asking our wider club membership to bring skills and ideas
Partnerships in the COMMUNITY – working with Tidy towns, local communities, PPN for Climate change in the area
Finding FUNDING opportunities with local business and expand our sponsorship offering
Why do we want a Green Club strategy?
At St Colmcilles we recognise the need to act smart and act fast to do what we can to support our environment and protect our location and our club for existing and future generations
OUR VISION AND OBJECTIVES
Create a more sustainable GAA Club and foster a culture of environmental stewardship amongst members.
Promote sustainable green practices
Reduce the club’s environmental footprint
Raise awareness about environmental issues
What do we want to achieve?
THE GOAL
To have a fully sustainable Green Club offering players members and the wider community the chance to be part of an evolution, that delivers a safer greener environment for us all to enjoy for generations to come.
We want to be a club that acts responsibly and efficiently both on and off the field.
How will we achieve this?
Let’s take a closer look at the 5 pillars of the GREEN CLUB strategy
1. Biodiversity
Develop several projects on the grounds and in the wider community that encompasses biodiversity management and education using the environment we have around us.
Create a biodiversity plan that outlines how the club will preserve and enhance the local natural habitats.
Plant native plants around the club facilities to create habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife.
Use natural and non-toxic materials for the maintenance of the club's green areas and avoid the use of chemicals that may harm the natural environment.
Organize education and awareness-raising activities for members and the community on the importance of biodiversity conservation.
2. Energy
Develop an energy management plan that includes measures to reduce energy consumption, such as installing energy-efficient lighting and equipment in the clubhouse and other facilities.
Install a minimum of 2 EV charging units for charging electric vehicles.
Replace existing floodlights with LED lights.
Generate renewable energy on site, such as solar or wind power, to meet the club's energy needs.
Install Solar panels on Clubhouse roof top.
Educate members and the community on the importance of energy conservation and responsible energy use.
3.Waste
Develop a waste management plan that includes measures to reduce waste generation, such as using reusable and recyclable products and avoiding single-use plastics.
Ensure recycling bins are available and single use plastics are disposed of correctly.
Encourage reusable water bottles and coffee cups at all age groups. Encourage exchange and swap of pre-loved sports equipment and gear.
Reduce overall plastic and other waste at the club
Implement a waste segregation system to enable the separation of recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
Ensure proper disposal of hazardous waste such as batteries and electronic equipment.
Educate members and the community on the importance of waste reduction and responsible waste management.
4. Water
Ensure gathering of rainwater for conservation and re-purposing on land in warmer weather
Review of all plumbing and water facilities at the club to ensure no waste through leaks or faulty fittings etc
Review of water quality in the club
Develop a water management plan that includes water conservation measures, such as installing water-efficient fixtures and fittings in the clubhouse and other facilities.
Collect rainwater from roofs to irrigate the pitch and other green areas.
Educate members and the community on the importance of water conservation and responsible water use.
5. Travel
Encourage car sharing for attendance at matches and training.
Encourage cycling and walking for attendance at matches and training (where possible)
Encourage walking, cycling or carpooling to club events and activities.
Promote public transport as a sustainable and convenient option for traveling to the club.
Organize bicycle parking and changing facilities to encourage cycling to events.
Use electric or hybrid vehicles for club transport where possible.
What’s next? How do we get started?
Each of the pillars identified are areas we can look at in more detail to see
What we already do well
What we can do better now
What we can do better in the future
An analysis will be carried out by the Green Club Team at the club to establish the above and then we will focus on a two year plan that will allow us to set milestones and begin our work,
The Green Club Team will be comprised of:
Two committee members – Paula O’Brien and Ben Brennan, two non-playing non-coaching club members (TBC) and
two youth/juvenile club playing members (TBC)
What do we need from the Club?
Approval of Green Club strategy at committee level
Support in promoting our work online and around the grounds (signage, social media posts etc)
Agreement on the goals for the next two years to achieve Green Club status (TBC – Stage 2)
Collective thinking and effective collaboration
What will the club achieve?
Nationwide promotion of ‘Green Club’ status (similar to our Healthy Club Gold Status) once achieved. Best practice in community
Further integration in our community via schools and community groups.
An opportunity to bring “silent” (non playing/coaching) membership in to the participation of the club.
Sponsorship opportunities to attract businesses and partners who want to be part of Green Club strategy and activities
Potential funding from local supports and Government
If you would like to download a copy of our Green Club Strategy then just click here or use the document download section.