Transcript:
Next week, the Vermont Green Football Club kicks off its season. This preprofessional soccer team hopes to repeat last year’s success, when they went undefeated and won their league’s national championship.
But winning on the field is not the Vermont Green’s only goal.
Infurna: “We want to be a leader, and we want to be an example in addressing the climate crisis through the game of soccer.”
Club cofounder Patrick Infurna says the team is taking steps to reduce its climate impact. And it’s going beyond that by building a community of fans who are passionate about doing the same.
People who bike to games get free raffle tickets. The club invites halftime speakers who talk about climate issues. And community nonprofits share information in the concourse.
Staff and volunteers sort through trash, recycling, and compost bins to minimize what’s sent to the landfill.
And Infurna says some fans are so committed that they’ve formed an independent group that fundraises for climate and social justice efforts.
Infurna: “I think more than anything, that is success. … When I look at our fans, organizing together and engaging with our partners … and deciding that, while they are enjoying the game of soccer, they’re going to make it mean something more, that is the coolest thing that we’ve experienced since founding this club.”
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
