Investigating the environmental sustainability of cricket clubs

Cricket is a popular sport in England and Wales with 200,000 adult weekly participants (Sport England 2009) and 3951 registered clubs (source: ECB Play-Cricket database). Playing the game provides health and social benefits but also consumes natural resources. There is currently pressure on such natural resources and projections for population growth, urbanisation and climate change suggest this pressure may increase. Operational activities in preparing cricket surfaces contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and could lead to pollution, particularly of water courses. Cricket clubs would benefit from assistance in reducing their consumption, minimising their environmental impact and developing resilience to any future environmental challenges. Forty-three cricket clubs, more than 1% of the total registered, from all levels and affiliations of the professional and amateur game were surveyed to benchmark existing practices and make recommendations towards improving their environmental sustainability. The survey sought to identify both activities and attitudes in respect of a range of factors related to natural resources. Analysis examined whether practices varied according to regional climates or if other factors may be determinate. Opportunities to provide advice and the nature of that advice were investigated. Results allowed qualified identification of resource consumption but most frequently data could not be provided by clubs as their awareness of their own practices and the environmental implications were unknown to them. This is useful information and allows for the recommendation of greater knowledge and management of water, fuel and energy. Efficiency of existing operations should be maximised and alternatives to traditional mains supplied water and renewable energy examined. Playing surface preparations should consider research tested data and question some of the received wisdom prevalent in the practice of groundsmanship.