Vermont Green Football Club: Kicking for the Climate

The Vermont Green Football Club combines love for soccer with environmental stewardship, encouraging fans to adopt eco-friendly practices both at and away from the game.

It was game night in Burlington, the proud home of the Vermont Green Football Club, and excitement was in the air. The stands were filled to capacity with enthusiastic supporters, many wearing casual summer attire and ready to cheer on their local team. However, this gathering was more than just a soccer match; it was a testament to communal commitment to the environment.

The players donned jerseys crafted from recycled materials, while fans who opted for eco-friendly transportation, like bicycles, earned themselves enticing raffle tickets. During the event, food vendors proudly displayed a diverse array of vegan dishes, aligning perfectly with the club's mission of promoting sustainable practices.

Before the first whistle blew, the team’s public announcer, Tom Proctor, delivered an important message that has become an integral part of every home game. "Please make sure to take your trash and recycling with you and dispose of them correctly," Proctor advised over the loudspeaker, promoting responsible waste management among the audience. Bottles needed to be emptied, while food scraps should be directed to compost bins. "Thank you for helping us pitch in for the planet!" he enthusiastically reminded fans.

The Vermont Green Football Club stands out as an amateur soccer team with a meaningful agenda. Founded with the vision to combine competitive sports with environmental consciousness, the club reflects Vermont's commitment to ambitious ecological goals, including the state’s pledge to protect half of its land by 2050 and its predominance in renewable electricity production. The ethos driving the Green, inspired by the famous Forest Green Rovers in England, aligns with their mission to advance climate action through every match played and every fan in attendance.