Eco pupils and Trust make Ewood Park green

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT) welcomed hundreds of eager pupils from across the North West who want to make a sustainable difference to their lives and those of future generations. 

Rovers’ Ewood Park was a bustling hive of activity as young people and teachers enjoyed the North West Eco-Schools Sustainability Conference. 

Hosted by the Lancashire Schools Sustainability Forum, the event in its fifth year, has a longstanding relationship with BRCT who pride themselves on it being a regular fixture on their calendar. 

Gary Robinson, CEO at BRCT said:

“Ewood Park is at the heart of our community and each year during the off season we’re proud to welcome many school communities from around the county to the stadium. 

“The Lancashire Schools Sustainability Forum created fun and engaging concepts for the pupils, from making smoothies while exercising, to meeting animals and learning about the environment around them. 

“Dozens of pupils got involved with an Up-cycled Fashion Show where outfits were displayed from recycled materials, and teachers took part in Continuing Professional Development sessions to learn about unlocking sustainability outcomes in their schools alongside the governments Sustainability and Climate Change Policy.” 

Mike Evans, CEO at the EFL Trust added:

“This wonderful event is a fitting example of how our Club Community Organisations across the EFL network are taking positive steps to reach out to their communities to improve and minimise environmental impact.” 

Ben Fisher, Sustainability Development Coordinator at the EFL Trust commented:

“At the EFL Trust, we’re working closely with the Club Community Organisations to develop their environmental practices and operations.  

“This has included support for Sustainable Development Officers, through the  Kickstart programme and encouraging Club Community Organisations to develop local partnerships to promote environmental sustainability, of which BRCT’s work is a fantastic example of.” 

The English Football League (EFL) announced in October 2021 the launch of ‘EFL Green Clubs’, which sees the EFL joining forces with  GreenCode, a new, ground-breaking environmental accreditation scheme that will benchmark clubs environmental rating, provide bespoke guidance and practical advice to help clubs implement change and recognise those that excel in this area. 

Participating Clubs will receive an independent assessment of their environmental credentials with a GreenCode Mark the goal to achieve. Those clubs at the start of their environmental improvement journey will be supported by the GreenCode Improvement Plan.