Teaching Sustainability to Your Team: 7 Tips

Part of being on a team is working together towards a common goal. There’s been a growing emphasis on sustainability for many sports teams.

Often, environmental sustainability gets engrossed in the “green movement,” which isn’t always sustainable. That’s why you must teach sustainability directly to your team and make it a goal to be eco-friendly in every aspect — from practice to gameplay.

Teaching sustainability to your team is essential if you want to continue the sport. Here are seven tips for soccer coaches and teams to be more sustainable while involved in the sport.

1. Lead by Example

One of the best ways to teach anything is by leading by example. Coaches have to teach their teams how to play. How do they do that? They demonstrate a move, like how to kick a soccer ball properly or block a ball from going into the goalie’s net.

The same is valid with sustainability. You can model behaviors like picking up trash on the field, using a refillable bottle and biking or walking to practice if you live close to the field. The team will notice these behaviors and want to do the same.

2. Volunteer as a Team

Team bonding is an essential part of building trust and friendships between coaches and players. What better way to bond than through a volunteer project?

As a coach, you can decide on a volunteer project if your team is younger. Older teams can help choose a project. Some great eco-friendly volunteer ideas include picking up litter, assisting in the community garden or promoting a local environmental business.

3. Encourage the Use of Reusables

If anyone were to go to a sports game, they would likely see hundreds of plastic water bottles filling trash cans or recycling bins. Water is vital for sports teams to keep them hydrated so they stay healthy throughout the game. However, if your team is using single-use water bottles, it’s time to make a change.

Instead, encourage your team to bring their own reusable water bottle. Provide a station where they can refill their bottles throughout practice and games so there’s no need to use single-use bottles.

4. Speak Openly About Sustainability

When you’re with your team, openly discuss topics surrounding sustainability. If your team is uneducated about sustainability, bring it up on a local level first.

They can better understand sustainability when it’s in their hometown before discussing it from a global perspective. For example, if people or businesses in your community rely on renewable energy, like solar or wood pellets, explain how it’s valuable for the environment.

Additionally, you can become educated about sustainability efforts, especially when they relate to the sports industry. As a coach, when you become educated, you can relay that information to your team.

5. Opt for Hand-Me-Down or Organic Uniforms and Equipment

Instead of purchasing new uniforms each year, search for hand-me-down uniforms used by other teams. This may not be possible if your team is through a school, but it is if your team is within a community program. Otherwise, choose uniforms from a sustainable company or ones that use recycled materials.

Also, you can purchase already-used equipment rather than buy new goals, nets, or soccer balls, especially for practices. This reduces waste and prevents older equipment that still functions from going to the landfill.

6. Respect the Surrounding Natural Areas

During practices, home games and away games, always make sure that you respect the surrounding natural areas. Most soccer games take place outdoors, which opens up the possibility of having wildlife and vegetation surrounding the fields.

Pick up all trash before leaving and try not to disturb any wildlife that comes to spectate. When soccer fields aren’t in use, they can be a safe space for animals to roam. Remember to respect the surrounding natural environment.

7. Recycle As a Team

Finally, recycle as a team. There will probably be cases where team members forget their refillable water bottles and bring a single-use bottle instead. Invest in a recycling bin to put on the playing field and encourage recycling for the team and its family members.

Additionally, any time you receive equipment in a cardboard or other type of recyclable container, recycle those as well. This simple act of placing recyclable items in the correct bin and taking them to the recycling center will instill in the players, and they’ll be more likely to do the same actions at home.

A Sustainable Sports Team

Set sustainability goals for your team. By being sustainable now, you’re ensuring that generations to follow will have the same opportunities you and your team have now. How will your team start its sustainable journey?

Author Bio:

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.