Delivering our first workshops to Academy players at Chelsea FC
Some of the oldest schoolboy players in the Chelsea Academy were involved in a new education programme at Cobham recently, addressing the impact of climate change and sustainability in modern society, with a particular focus on football’s role in that.
FFF delivered our workshops to the young players in Chelsea Academy’s Under-13 to Under-16 age groups.
Last year, Academy graduate Mason Mount was the face of a campaign for FFF, with the midfielder commenting at the time: ‘Sustainability is really important for us all to learn about and if we all do our bit, we can help to make a change.’
The workshops were delivered in an open and interactive format, allowing the players to offer their own opinions and solutions to some of the big climate change issues. There was a particular focus on the positive impact our young footballers can have in ensuring that we see a change in society’s approach to the environment.
“The conversation about climate change is becoming increasingly important, which is why we have invested in educating our players about these issues.”
'The conversation about climate change is becoming increasingly important, which is why we have invested in educating our players about these issues, helping them to make choices to live more sustainably and reduce their carbon footprint,’ said Carys Dalton, player care coordinator in the Chelsea Academy.
‘FFF used an interactive session to highlight some very important climate change issues, and specifically the impact this will have on football in the future. Players were shocked to see images of the yellow Hackney Marshes this summer and to learn about how many of the football stadiums in this country may be submerged with water in the next 25 years, Stamford Bridge being one of them.’
The sessions were the first of their kind delivered to Academy players, underlining the growing importance of finding a sustainable future.
The boys were asked about the manufacturing origins of their footwear.
“We were blown away at the existing knowledge and motivation across all age groups”
‘It was a pleasure delivering FFF’s Football, Climate and Sustainability Crash Course to the U13, U14, U15 and U16 Academy players at Chelsea FC,’ said Elliot Arthur-Worsop, FFF Founder and Head of Training and Education.
‘We were blown away at the existing knowledge and motivation across all age groups. They demonstrated a great understanding of the key concepts and a passion to know how these tied into football.
‘It was inspiring to hear the ideas that the participants had to make the game more sustainable, on and off the pitch. They had an authentic appetite and care for sustainability, which will be essential values for their generation to tackle the effects of climate change in the today, and in the future.’
The players trialling a new FFF goal celebration.