The FA announce partnership with E.ON to tackle energy costs for grass roots teams

The Football Association and E.ON have announced a new long-term partnership to support the grassroots football community by introducing a new decarbonisation programme.

The aim of the programme is to support clubs in reducing their energy costs and help the environment.

The new partnership will see the launch of grassroots football intervention packages to help clubs become more sustainable as well as inspiring their wider communities. Grassroots football clubs across the country will be invited to apply for support to help make their clubs greener and more sustainable.

As part of the partnership, E.ON will provide bespoke energy saving advice for grassroots clubs alongside energy-saving kit packs, and educational resources. A number of clubs will also benefit from investment into upgrades and sustainable energy solutions as part of the programme. Further details around the support on offer and how to apply will be announced soon.

Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief executive, said: "Our new partnership with E.ON will provide many of our grassroots clubs with valuable support and guidance to help them become more sustainable in the future. This includes working with clubs so that they can make a positive environmental impact in the communities they serve, as well as helping them to save money by identifying new energy-efficient ways to run their clubs.

"We’re delighted to be working with E.ON on this important area of our game, and we look forward to sharing further details with grassroots clubs in the coming months around our new support programme, including infrastructure upgrades and educational resources that will be on offer to them."

Chris Norbury, chief executive of E.ON UK, said: "Creating the more sustainable country we all want and need will take all of us working together – in our homes and businesses and across entire communities. Whether the focus is saving money, fighting the climate crisis or creating new jobs and skills, it’s important to look at the small actions that can add up to a big impact, which is why we’re so excited to be working with one of the biggest networks of community organisations anywhere in the world – the FA’s grassroots football network.

Scott Somerville, UK chief marketing officer of E.ON UK added: "The connecting power of sport and in particular grassroots football is evident everywhere you look. We’re proud to be creating this programme with the FA to help deliver meaningful change around our shared values and further build on the exceptional work we continue to do with the likes of Veloce in Extreme E and Nottingham Forest FC."