Sustainability in grassroots cricket - How Fillongley CC transformed into an environmental super-club

A Warwickshire cricket club has been nationally recognised for setting an outstanding example in environmental development, community cohesion and stakeholder engagement.

Led by the efforts of club chair Stephen Gardner, Fillongley CC has created a huge positive environmental impact both for its immediate surroundings and its wider village community.

By selling its vision to the nearby population, engaging a range of stakeholders and working closely with influential local partners, the club now looks set to benefit from long-term environmental success.

A four-year effort began in 2019, when it secured access to the field next to its first-team pitch and began constructing plans to create a separate pitch for its women’s team and men’s third team. Since then, the club has collaborated with a range of local partners to bring an extraordinary vision to life.

• First, Fillongley CC applied to the Woodland Trust for its 'free tree' packs. After the application was successful, it worked with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) to plant the trees in such a way that it  contributed to an ongoing flood reduction scheme. The club also received several copper beech hedges, evergreen oak trees, and two black poplar trees from WWT – ensuring the landscape developed in line with the traditions of the Arden Forest.

• At the same time, WWT produced a wide-ranging habit management plan for Fillongley CC, providing guidance on several actions that would enhance the habitat for nature.

• A large pond was dredged, and a five-year plan was enacted to cut the surrounding holly trees in such a way that light and life can repopulate the pond. Some of the felled holly trees were re-used as dead hedging to create an insect habitat. “The pond was an eyesore,” Gardner said. “We pride ourselves on having one of the most picturesque grounds in the area. Clearing and reviving the pond was a great way to enhance that.”

• An artificial strip was installed on the new pitch, making it instantly playable after the completion of the outfield and eliminating the effort and emissions involved with the maintenance of a traditional  strip. The strip was funded by the Warwickshire Cricket Board via the ECB’s County Grants Fund.
• And in conjunction with North Warwickshire Council, a community footpath was moved to run around the outside of the new pitch. This reconstruction was permitted when the council praised the club’s efforts  to improve the environment. “People can object when you propose to move a footpath,” Gardner said, “but nobody did, and several local people went out of their way on social media to post very positive comments about our plans.”

Despite its success, the club is not finished yet. It has already signed up to the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action charter, signalling its complete commitment to environmentally friendly facilities.

A wildflower meadow will be developed over the coming years, with funding and support from the Highways Agency seeing it managed appropriately for the next five years to establish its presence.

Elsewhere, the club intends to install solar panels on the roof of its changing rooms, giving it 100% renewable energy for heating and hot water. Water storage facilities are under consideration, so it does not have to use mains water to tend to its pitches. And when its fleet of traditional mowers die, each will be replaced with an electric alternative.

Finally, two students from the Coventry University Sport Management master’s degree programme are analysing and documenting the process, lessons, and recommendations arising from Fillongley’s experience, essentially providing a blueprint  for other cricket clubs to follow and saving a huge amount of research time for clubs interested in this approach.

Gardner said: "We had a bit of scepticism in the early stages, but once people can see things working and can see the benefits, you quickly reach a tipping point.

"Now it’s got its own momentum, and everybody is really proud of it. Some of the people who were arguing against all this in the early days, they’re now showing everybody around, explaining what’s going on, and showing a real sense of pride in our facilities.”

For more information on the ECB County Grants Fund, visit this link.