Working group strategy & achievements

Sustainability is an increasingly important subject that we value here at uea+sport. In order to reduce our department’s, and our sports clubs’, impact on the environment, we have set up a Sustainability in Sport Working Group. The working group’s strategy can be found here: Sustainability in Sport Working Group Strategy. The working group meet monthly at the Sportspark. If you are a student or staff member who is interested in joining the working group, please contact the group’s co-chairs: -        Evie Drennan (e.drennan@uea.ac.uk) & Hugh Braidwood (h.braidwood@uea.ac.uk)

Working group strategy & achievements

Sustainability is an increasingly important subject that we value here at uea+sport. In order to reduce our department’s, and our sports clubs’, impact on the environment, we have set up a Sustainability in Sport Working Group. The working group’s strategy can be found here: Sustainability in Sport Working Group Strategy. The working group meet monthly at the Sportspark. If you are a student or staff member who is interested in joining the working group, please contact the group’s co-chairs: -        Evie Drennan (e.drennan@uea.ac.uk) & Hugh Braidwood (h.braidwood@uea.ac.uk)

Achievements of the working group

2023/24

  • Started a Kit Swap hosted at the SIZ (Student Information Zone) on campus for students to exchange old kit and fancy dress outfits
  • Invested in a recycled bamboo Sustainability in Sport Award, backdating to 2021
  • Discussed with the Student Union Bar how to be more sustainable on nights out
  • Took part in Green Fest organised by the University having a stall promoting sustainable living
  • The department launched the Bike Hire Scheme where students can get a bike and safety equipment for up to two weeks completely free of charge
  • Evie led on a UK Wide BUCS Sustainability Group discussing issues faced by all and how Universities can work together to combat these

2022/23

  • Developed a Sustainability Framework for UEA sports clubs to use when working towards becoming a more sustainable club
  • Invited to volunteer as Sustainability Marshals at the 2022 TCS London Marathon
  • Introduced an option for student volunteers at our annual Santa Run to plant trees instead of receiving a volunteer t-shirt
  • Worked with Sportspark to change the BMS system and reduce the amount of energy used on heating of the UEA Sport office

2021/22

  • Shortlisted for the Sport & Recreation Alliance ‘Go Green Award’
  • Set up an equipment recycling box during Do Something Green Week
  • Hosted BUCS Triathlon and achieved two main targets: incentivise public transport and offset emissions of all competitors (see our post here)
  • Student-led COP26 festival featuring campus litter picks and much more
  • Attended ‘Spring Greens’ event at the Student Information Zone to promote active travel
  • Removed the date from Derby Day medal ribbons so they can be reused each year
  • Invited to present at the Green Sport Forum (this event was subsequently cancelled)

2020/21

  • There is now a sustainability section in all club development plans
  • A Sustainability Sports Award is now included in our annual sports awards event
  • Sustainable rewards and challenges are regularly featured on the UEA+MOVES app
  • Volunteers will have the option to give back their kit at the end of the year to be reused
  • Student Facebook group ‘Do Your Bit, Recycle Your Kit’ now live
  • Bayley and Hugh qualified as Carbon Literate (Carbon Literacy Project)
  • Sustainability information now accessible on the uea+sport website
  • Set up a hand sanitiser refill station for sports clubs to refill their bottles and save plastic waste
  • Created and delivered ‘uea+sport environmental sustainability’ training for sports club committees
  • Shortlisted for 3 SustainableUEA awards: Green Campus Award, Education for Sustainable Development Award, and Staff Sustainability Champion Award

2019/20

  1. uea+sport goes green – regular feature in Sportspark staff newsletter to encourage greener working habits
  2. Carbon offsetting project – planted 100 trees in Broads National Park to offset sports club emissions from the 2019/20 academic year

 

 

ONGOING PROJECTS

Here you can find details on the sustainability projects we are currently working on.

  1. Offer a sustainability CPD session via the Volunteer Academy once per term.
  2. Sustainability discussion sessions open to all club members will be incorporated into the annual committee training schedule.
  3. Develop a compulsory Sportspark staff training module for sustainability.
  4. Collaborate with UEASU to deliver Do Something Green Week initiatives for sports clubs to engage with.
  5. Convert the uea+sport Environmental Sustainability Training into an e-learning module for as many committee members to complete in their own time as posible.