Nirvana Net Zero Project Promoted on the Global Stage

The third Football for the Goals members’ meeting convened on the 23rd January 2024 and was a chance to hear from the United Nation's FFTG leadership as they updated on the initiative’s progress and strategy for 2024. The Football For the Goals membership now spans across more than 265 organisations from 86 countries around the world.

The work that Leicester Nirvana has been doing was able to form part of an update that Dr Mark Charlton from De Montfort University (DMU) delivered to United Nations Regional Directors from across the world, including from Delhi, Buenos Aires, Western Europe, Geneva, Mexico City, Nairobi, Rabat and Pretoria.

Among many things, Dr Charlton explained how Leicester Nirvana were the integral instigator of a partnership between DMU, Leicester Nirvana and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Hub, which very soon grew to include SG.Eintracht.Peitz, from Cottbus, Berlin in Germany.

The update continued to mention an exchange networking visit to Germany to connect and meet with FC Internationale Berlin 1980 e. v. and SG.Eintracht.Peitz to discuss the development of an SDG framework for football, particularly those at a grassroots level..

Ivan Liburd, Leicester Nirvana’s SDG Champion said, “The work we are doing around net zero is so important and the support we have had from DMU has been amazing. Football in general must catch up in their practices and move into a space where they can really support grassroots communities to achieve capital interventions for a more sustainable future.

“Nirvana are excited to work with work with partner clubs in Germany to build and develop projects that many others will benefit from.”

Flying the Net Zero Flag for Football

Amateur football club supported by University researchers to measure carbon emissions.

As the world looks to the professional football game to step up their net zero ambitions, one amateur football club in Leicester is flying under the radar.

In a ground breaking partnership, Leicester Nirvana, the trailblazing amateur football club based in Leicester, has collaborated with a Dr and student from De Montfort University (DMU) to pioneer the measurement and output of carbon emissions by the club.

This pioneering initiative, said to be a national first for an amateur football club, holds incredible value for Nirvana, as it guides them on their path to achieving their Net Zero goal.

Leading this remarkable effort is Dr. Leticia Ozawa-Meida, a senior research fellow at DMU, supported by MSc student Wilfor Zuluaga and Ivan Liburd from Nirvana. The team worked closely to comprehensively assess emissions across all facets of the club's operations, ranging from the energy usage in their clubhouse to the transportation habits of players and their families. This rigorous study is a vital component of the clubs Net Zero Football Project, and has generated findings that can serve as a model for similar assessments in other amateur sports clubs across the country and the world.

Ivan Liburd, Club Trustee and sustainable development goals volunteer, emphasised, "This initiative plays a pivotal role in our quest for Net Zero emissions, underscoring our dedication to environmental responsibility and setting a powerful example for our community. We are wholeheartedly committed to this project, as it perfectly aligns with our Net Zero objectives. The collaboration with DMU has been seamless, and it marks a significant stride toward a sustainable future.

The success of this project bolsters our belief that we can attain our Net Zero targets. As we move forward, we plan to expand similar initiatives and continue our journey toward reducing our carbon footprint."

Dr Ozawa-Meida, a Senior Research Fellow at DMU, said: “The results of the carbon footprint show that the largest sources of emissions of Leicester Nirvana relate to energy use, gas and electricity (70%), followed by the emissions related to travel of players and families to the matches (27%), and in less extent to emissions due to water use, waste generated and procurement of players uniforms (3%).”

By becoming, what may be the first club to comprehensively review their emissions, Nirvana has added another feather to its cap, emphasizing its commitment to making a difference. The club has also forged partnerships with the United Nations Football for the Goals campaign and garnered awards for its contribution to football.

It's worth highlighting that Leicester Nirvana, are the only amateur football club in the UK to have developed a partnership with DMU and the United Nations via their Sustainable Development Goals Academic Impact Hub based in Leicester. The partnerships main goal is to support Nirvana to become Britain's first Net Zero amateur football club, a historic milestone in their journey towards sustainability.

To share their remarkable findings, Dr Ozawa-Meida and Ivan Liburd from Nirvana presented the results of the emissions testing at a free event that took place at the Leicester Business Festival, aptly named "Green Goals." The event brought together local businesses, clubs, and organisations within the sports sector and connected them with the pioneering work being developed and delivered by De Montfort University in pursuit of the Net Zero agenda.

England Football Promote Nirvana

In October, England Football Promoted Leicester Nirvana on their social platforms as part of Black History Season.

Representing more than 50 nations, Leicester Nirvana Fc have been volunteering & supporting the community for over 40 years.

From U6s through to our senior first team, we cater for all ages, & are developing our women's & girls' offering with local groups.

We are Nirvana.

#BlackHistoryMonth

Nirvana shortlisted for The Sporting Equals Awards 2023

Leicester Nirvana has been shortlisted for The Sporting Equals Awards 2023 in the following category: Sport England - Community Project of the Year. This award recognises a project/ organisation that has developed and delivered interventions in the past 12 months and has demonstrated a significant impact to increasing participation amongst ethnically diverse communities.

Use the link below to vote for us https://sportingequalsawards.org.uk/#vote

Ladies and Girls Football Festival

Leicester Nirvana are holding a football festival to celebrate and create opportunities for women and girls to play football. 

If you are a beginner, have been playing for years, looking to be more involved in women and girls football, interested in volunteering or you just want to have a fun day, this event is for you. 

Continuing the great spirit and achievements of the England women's team in both the European championships and the world cup, we want to encourage more women and girls to take part in the game. 

The event will take place on Saturday 16th September, from 11am to 3pm at Hamilton Park, 100 Sandhills Avenue, Leicester LE5 1LU. Everyone is welcome, women and girls, family members, there will be something for everyone. 

The event is a collaboration between Leicester City in the Community, The FA (England Football), Leicestershire and Rutland County FA, Rara Avis FC, Active Women and Leicester Nirvana. 

Activities on the day will include;

• Football taster training sessions for beginners and intermediate/ above,

• Small sided football games.

• Inflatable football activities.

• Penalty shootouts.

• Mini tournament,

• Giveaways.

• Food and drink available to buy on the day,

• Information to promote football pathways for women and girls, such as Coaching, FA Level 1 courses, Refereeing and more,

A consultation to better understand how football clubs can develop their women and girls offer further, including physical building space/ changing rooms to better meet the needs of women and girls.

There will be opportunities to talk to the club and the FA about volunteering or playing options, take part in one of the physical activities, be involved in a game or training session or just enjoy the atmosphere on the day. 

If you would like to be involved in the day to support, promote services, or anything else. Please let us know. 

We look forward to seeing you on the day.