Real Betis and Forest Green Rovers, ecological and media clubs
[ad_1]
To obtain international notoriety, Forest Green Rovers did not need to accumulate victories, even if they have just entered the English third division of football. It owes above all to Dale Vince, owner since 2010, its title of “the most ecological club in the world”awarded by FIFA in 2020, and its carbon neutrality certified by the UN from 2018.
Founder of Ecotricity, supplier of green energies, Dale Vince had not planned to lead the club in the town of Nailsworth, in the county of Gloucestershire (England). But, even if it meant saving him from his financial difficulties, he decided to make it an ecological model.
From vegan food for spectators and players (a real culture shock) to the electric robot tractor that mows an “organic” lawn, including the use of renewable energies, water recovery, fight against food waste or jerseys made from coffee grounds and recycled plastic, ecology is not an option, but a policy.
“The most interesting thing is that this strategy, totally based on the protection of the environment, which goes against all the other clubs, is validated by sporting and economic success. The project generates considerable media coverage, attracts players and partners »underlines Michaël Ferrisi, consultant and founder of the Ecolosport site.
The club has been making profits for five years, and sponsors are flocking in, seduced by the project and its visibility. The future stadium, Eco Park, which received administrative authorizations at the start of the year and should be completed in 2025 or 2026, will be the crowning achievement.
All-wood stadium
Designed by the prestigious firm Zaha Hadid Architects, entirely in locally sourced wood, it is destined to become “the football stadium with the lowest carbon impact in the world”at the center of a complex that should include a public park, an activity zone for green technology companies and a sports science hub.
Its capacity of five thousand places, for a city of so many inhabitants, however, does not seem to conform to the principle of sobriety. “Despite its eco-responsible nature, the construction of equipment of this size is necessarily questionable”, agrees Michaël Ferrisi. But Dale Vince has sporting ambitions for his club… and political ones for himself: he has announced that he wants to sell Ecotricity, in order to get into politics within the Labor Party.
You have 50.79% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.
[ad_2]
Source link
