Grassroots football clubs secure funding for green projects thanks to Unity Trust Bank support

Ten grassroots football clubs in the West Midlands have been awarded green project funding after Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA) teamed up with Unity Trust Bank.

A range of initiatives including recycling, wildlife preservation, energy efficiency, water harvesting and car sharing, will benefit from £12,500 worth of grants after the Birmingham-headquartered business bank sponsored this year’s BCFA ‘Green Innovation Fund’.

The grants are part of BCFA’s ‘Save Today, Play Tomorrow’ programme, which is committed to transforming the way sport approaches its environmental, social and economic impact.

One of the football clubs to benefit is Leafield Ladies.

Based in Solihull, the club has more than 200 women and girls players registered across a range of age groups.

Sarah Mills, a primary school teacher and Secretary of Leafield Ladies, said: “We’ve provided space for girls-only football since 1997. We love what we stand for and what we do. We are a family-friendly club with around 40 volunteer coaches.

“We have two massive fields situated in a green, leafy suburb surrounded by housing developments. We want to maintain what we’ve got while giving back to the local community.

“We have a big focus on environmental education and this grant funding will help us to provide wildflower seeds to enhance the surrounding woodland area which includes bug houses.

“We also have a tractor and have invested in a massive tank to capture rainwater at our clubhouse which we can then use to water our grass when national supplies run low during hot weather.”

Unity Trust Bank and BCFA began collaborating in 2024 when both organisations were awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.

Colin Fyfe, CEO of Unity Trust Bank, said: “We work with like-minded organisations that are as committed as we are to creating a better society for all.

“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 pro-actively implementing sustainability programmes is inspiring and heart-warming.”

BCFA is the non profit-making governing body for football across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire. It supports more than 900 grassroots football clubs with over 6,200 teams across the region.

More than 150 affiliated clubs have benefited from the ‘Green Innovation Fund’ since its launch in the 22-23 season.

Kevin Shoemake, chief executive at Birmingham County Football Association, said: “We are very grateful for Unity’s support to help grassroot football clubs to reduce the environmental impact they create every season. 

“We want the game to develop and thrive in a sustainable way so that future generations of players, coaches, volunteers and spectators can benefit mentally and physically each week.”

Other recipients of grant funding include Silhill FC, Wake Green, Sparkhill Utd (vets), Prinny, Forest Falcons, FC Equalise, Cradley Town, Bournville Warriors, Bedworth Eagles and 3C’s United which, between them, have over 100 teams who will benefit across their sites.

Pictured: Sarah Mills, secretary of Leafield Ladies and her daughter Eva, who plays in the U12s Division with the seedlings they’re planting in the club’s wildlife zone