England’s Lionesses and Birmingham’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games has got the nation buzzing! Sport is such a powerful vehicle to unite people and to inspire and motivate change for the better.

Be it being the spark that ignites young people to emulate their heroes or even those a litter older to dust off the trainers and go for a jog.

A green legacy

For every major event, there is always the hope that it inspires a legacy of participation. Less common is the work towards an environmental legacy. Not this time….

With these Commonwealth Games being billed as the “most sustainable yet”, Planet Earth Games Trust has collaborated with Sport England and Youth Sport Trust to leave a sustainable legacy for school sport across England.

Teamwork for the climate

Since the start of the year, Planet Earth Games Trust and Youth Sport Trust have developed co-delivered a nationwide programme focussed on the School Games network which reaches around 2.5m young people every academic year, included:

• Training for 43 county-wide Active Partnerships and 450 School Games Organisers on best practice in sustainable sport, empowering the network to deliver more sustainable school sport activities and advocate for climate action.
• Co creation of a training module for young leaders (approx. aged 10 – 18yrs) based in circa 21,000 schools across England linked to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The resources produced enable School Games Organisers and teachers to develop leadership skills in sustainable sport among young people, equipping them with skills and knowledge to deliver activities focused on climate action in school and in their local community.
• Creation of a new green ‘Eco-Friendly’ value to compliment the current suite of School Games values of Passion, Self-Belief, Respect, Honesty, Determination and Teamwork to embody the spirit of the School Games and to reward and recognise sustainable behaviour.

Positive outcomes

Throughout this process, Planet Earth Games Trust and Youth Sport Trust have provided bespoke, practical support and guidance for people on the ground and shared best practice across the nationwide network. The approach is designed to empower those who can actually activate change and – collectively – on a wide scale.

For Planet Earth Games and Youth Sport Trust, this is just the beginning! And with Birmingham 2022 a catalyst for inspiration, we are aiming for a last legacy of sustainability to build on year on year for school sport in England.