Vermont Green Football Club: A Kicking Force for Environmental Change

The Vermont Green Football Club transforms game nights into environmental campaigns, encouraging eco-awareness through its practices and community involvement.

In Burlington, Vermont, the Vermont Green Football Club is redefining what it means to play the beautiful game. On a recent June evening, the atmosphere was electric, with enthusiastic fans filling the stands. But the excitement extended beyond soccer, as this amateur club emphasizes a mission deeply rooted in environmental stewardship.

With players donning jerseys crafted from recycled materials and a raft of eco-friendly initiatives in place, the Green Football Club captures the essence of sustainability. Spectators who arrived via bicycle were incentivized with raffle tickets, and food trucks showcased vegan fare. Throughout the night, the team's announcer, Tom Proctor, consistently reminded the crowd of their responsibility to the planet. "Please take all your trash and recycling out of the stands with you and put them in the appropriate bins," he urged, adding a cheerful note of gratitude for their help in protecting the environment.

Part of the "50 States, 50 Fixes" initiative, which highlights local solutions to pressing environmental issues, the club draws inspiration from an English counterpart known for its commitment to sustainability—the Forest Green Rovers. The Vermont Green Football Club's founders sought to combine the thrill of quality soccer with a mission that echoes Vermont’s pledge to conserve half of its land by 2050 and utilize renewable energy sources almost exclusively for electricity.

As game nights unfold, it’s clear that this soccer team is not just playing for points on the field; they are also champions for climate action.