Forest Green Rovers Supporting Sustainability in East Africa
Ascent Soccer is excited to announce a brand-new partnership with ‘Forest Green Rovers’ of the English Football League.
Ascent Soccer’s ambition is to be the greenest football organisation in Africa, and has taken their inspiration from the industry-leading work of Forest Green Rovers.
Ascent is the only full-time residential football academy and scholarship program in Malawi, which delivers global pathways for both boys and girls — and is now putting the planet first.
Ascent's new Green Leadership Academy, targeted to launch in 2023, aims to teach students about our changing world, while supporting their studies, leadership skills and an understanding towards a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable future.
Henry Staelens, CEO of Forest Green Rovers, said: “We've been speaking with the team at Ascent Soccer for a while now and it's clear that they're passionate about becoming the greenest football organisation in Africa. We will provide all the support they need to achieve this goal, and look forward to seeing their progress."
FIFA described Forest Green Rovers (FGR) as ‘the greenest football club in the world’, and they are the first and only vegan football club and the first to be certified as carbon neutral by the United Nations. FGR will provide mentorship and support on all of Ascent’s sustainability plans including operations, education and the development of the new Green Leadership Academy.
Adrian Bradbury, Co-Founder of Ascent Soccer, said: “It is only through education and an investment in young people that we will be able to change the course of climate action and our environment. Forest Green Rovers are showing the world what's possible through football and we're thrilled to have their guidance, support and expertise as we aim to become the greenest football organisation in Africa. Our goal is to transform soccer, scholarship, people and our planet, where it's needed most."
ABOUT FOREST GREEN ROVERS
In 2017, FIFA described Forest Green Rovers (FGR) as ‘the greenest football club in the world’. They were the first and only vegan football club and the first to be certified as carbon neutral by the United Nations.
GREEN STADIUM: The New Lawn might look like any other football stadium, but FGR do things slightly differently. Here are some of the things that make them the world’s greenest football club.
Green Energy - The entire club is powered by 100% green energy from Ecotricity, some of which is generated with the solar panels on the stadium roof and the solar tracker at the ground entrance.
Organic Pitch - The grass FGR play on is sustainable, free from pesticides and weed killers.
Electric ‘Mow-Bot’ - FGR cut their grass with a GPS-directed, solar-powered lawnmower.
Rainwater Capture - FGR collect rainwater that lands on the stadium and use it to irrigate the pitch rather than using mains water.
EV Charge Points - FGR recommend sustainable travel to all games and provide electric car charge points at The New Lawn.
Since 2011 FGR has been measuring their carbon footprint, and between the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons they reduced it by nearly 30%. When you visit The New Lawn, you can see what makes FGR the world’s greenest football club by following our Eco Trail.
100% VEGAN: Livestock farming has a huge impact on carbon emissions and on animal welfare, which is why FGR decided to become a vegan football club back in 2015. That might seem strange to fans used to burgers and pies at half time but as a vegan club FGR offer their players, staff and fans healthier food that tastes great and is better for the planet. On match days, FGR serve our award-winning Q Pies, delicious plant-based burgers, spicy pasties, vegan fajitas and plenty more, all made using locally sourced ingredients. Just like Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Venus Williams and Lewis Hamilton, FGR players benefit from improved performance thanks to a vegan diet. In 2017, FGR were recognised as the world’s first vegan football club when we were certified with the Vegan Trademark by The Vegan Society.
ECO PARK: FGR’s next step is to build Eco Park, which will be the greenest football stadium in the world. Designed by the world renowned architects at Zaha Hadid, it will be made entirely from wood and will be something pretty special in world football. Eco Park will have a capacity of 5,000 with parkland containing 500 trees and 1.8km of hedgerows planted all around it. Planning permission has been granted, and construction will be starting soon. FGR can’t wait to play their first match in what will be the world’s greenest football stadium.
Eco Park, the new future home of Forest Green Rovers.