Laois GAA club make huge impact at Launch of Green Club Toolkit at Croke Park
Park/Ratheniska GAA Club were delighted to be part of the Green Club Toolkit launch which took place over the weekend in Croke Park. A member of the Green Club initiative since its inauguration some 3 years ago, the Club was to the forefront of the Waste area of the plan and its work will greatly assist other Clubs across Ireland as they implement sustainability actions going forward. A video was produced to coincide with the launch, outlining the actions taken by the Club to improve its waste management and to inspire other Clubs to follow suit.
Speaking at the launch Club Secretary Brian Ramsbottom outlined the Clubs involvement in the project.
"The Club was approached to get involved in The Green Club initiative in late 2019 we jumped at the opportunity to assist in bringing about positive change within our organisation and wider community. Sustainability is something that we all need to contribute to, and its the small changes that will drive the larger ones we found. Arresting Climate Change is a very daunting thought, but through slow and steady change can we bring about the greater change needed to guarantee and better future for all of us. We've seen a real improvement in waste awareness since the inauguaration of this project and it is something we are commiteed to continue into the future. Its about educating both old and young and providing the knowledge and tools to our younger members as it is they who will drive our Club and Community for years to come."
Chairperson Kevin Fingleton praised the work of the Clubs Green Committee for their involvement in the project.
"This is a wonderful initiative with real visible and lasting improvements to be seen. Well done to Brian, Eileen and their team for 3 years of hard work and effort. We are proud to be involved with this pilot and are eager to see what other improvements we can implement and drive in our community. Its a further example of our committment to being a leader in our community and also the wider GAA family." More below video
GAA President Larry McCarthy said at the launch: “The GAA is a games organisation but it is also an organisation built on our commitment to the communities that our clubs represent. This Green Clubs Toolkit will support our members to ensure that our extensive network of facilities at club and county level are equipped to follow best practice across the five pillars of Energy, Water, Waste, Biodiversity and Travel and to ensure we play our part as community leaders in environmental sustainability. After two years of hard work I want to thank all the organisation who collaborated on this initiative and look forward to the Green Club Toolkit being put into action by clubs at home and abroad.”
Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications was quoted as saying: “The Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications is delighted to support the GAA in its Green Club Programme. The GAA is at the heart of every community and parish in the country. Climate change is often seen as a global challenge but it’s very much a local challenge, something that we can all do something about – right here, in our parish, in our clubs.”
“The GAA Green Club Toolkit is an invaluable tool that identifies practical local solutions to this global challenge. It works because it doesn’t section climate action off – it stitches it into every day life, every day sport, every day community development and enrichment