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.”

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.

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

Girls football is back for 2024.

Our Wildcats and Squad Girls Football provides girls with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment created exclusively for girls. At Nirvana we are keen to grow this part of our offer and would encourage all who are interested in playing or coaching to get involved.

This is a fantastic opportunity for children to participate in football.

The girls are coached in a relaxed environment, where the focus is on fun and developing the child as a whole. Your child will be supervised by FA qualified/ in training and DBS screened coaches.

This is an introduction to football, which allows players to learn and progress each week, ensuring the children benefit physically, socially and psychologically. 

Underpinning their football development are essential life skills such as, respect, team work, confidence and self-belief.

Nirvana Girls Football is a fantastic way for children, who show the potential, to start their journey in playing team football.

9.00 - 10.00AM every saturday

At Gateway College, 17 Colin Grundy Dr, Hamilton, Leicester LE5 1GA
(Over spring/ summer, sessions move to Hamilton)

IT’S EASY TO GET INVOLVED.

STEP 1.

Make sure your child is between 5 years and 14 years of age.

STEP 2.

Complete the registration form

Please use link below to register new attendees

https://forms.gle/CvYH4N4h6mnrpix17

STEP 3.

Review dates and cost.

£3 per session

Saturday 13th April 2024 – Saturday 11th May (5 Weeks)

Saturday 8th June 2024 – Saturday 6th July (5 Weeks)

Saturday 27th July 2024 – Saturday 24th August (5 Weeks)

Saturday 7th September 2024 – Saturday 12th October (6 Weeks)

STEP 4.

You will not receive a confirmation email.

After steps 1 to 3, all you need do is bring your child on Saturday.

All children must be signed in on arrival.

Children need water, shin-pads and appropriate footwear.

Thank you and see you soon.

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