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Climate Action for Associations to Lead Next Phase of Growth for Save Today, Play Tomorrow
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
United Kingdom, June 2026
Climate Action for Associations joins forces with founders Birmingham County Football Association to expand the programme across the UK, Europe and beyond.
Save Today, Play Tomorrow, the pioneering grassroots sports sustainability programme, is entering an exciting new phase of growth, with Climate Action for Associations (CAFA) now acting as the strategic lead and secretariat by bringing additional expertise and resources to support the programme's expansion.
The move builds on the brilliant work of Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA), who founded the initiative and remains a founding partner. BCFA's vision continues to underpin everything the programme stands for, while CAFA will help drive the programme forward across the UK and beyond, extending its reach to more sports and more communities than ever before.
Why It Matters
Grassroots sport is the backbone of healthy, connected communities. In the UK alone, sport saves the economy £7.1 billion annually by reducing disease, obesity and depression. Active lifestyles reduce loneliness, improve mental health and cut antisocial behaviour. Yet the clubs that deliver these benefits every week face growing financial and environmental pressures that threaten their long-term survival.
With the Department for Culture, Media & Sport targeting 2.5 million more active adults and 1 million more active children by 2030, the need to keep grassroots clubs financially resilient, environmentally responsible and deeply rooted in their communities has never been greater. Save Today, Play Tomorrow exists to help make that happen.
About the Programme
With its early development focused on football, Save Today, Play Tomorrow is a first-of-its-kind programme that helps grassroots sports clubs across the UK support their communities, remain financially strong, and reduce their environmental impact. It provides guidance and practical support in the areas that matter most - from reducing carbon and single-use plastic, recycling kit and equipment and reducing operational costs to securing sponsorship and strengthening community engagement.
Clubs already taking part have made a real difference, including:
Implementing nature-based solutions at their facilities to mitigate flooding
Introducing lift-sharing schemes that cut emissions and bring people together
Recycling kit to support the circular economy and provide equipment to those who need it most
Benefiting from grants for initiatives such as providing reusable water bottles, installing bicycle racks and LED lighting, as well as adding water dispensers and solar panels.
The programme also helps grassroots clubs demonstrate their impact and remain competitive with players, supporters, sponsors and funders, ensuring they continue to thrive for generations to come.
Playing the Long Game
The multi award-winning programme is built around the belief that true sustainability means being environmentally responsible, financially resilient and socially impactful all at once. Save Today, Play Tomorrow brings together a unique blend of sports experts, sustainability professionals and sponsorship specialists, rooted in a deep understanding of what grassroots clubs need to thrive. With CAFA now providing a more focussed, day to day strategic function, the programme gains access to a broader network, specialist tools and additional sustainability expertise, strengthening its ability to support more clubs, more sports and more communities across the UK and beyond, whilst promoting this important area of business and challenging the norm.
CAFA has been actively involved in the programme for over two years and brings deep familiarity with the initiative, alongside a proven track record in sustainability for the membership sector. As the dedicated resource and network for sustainability in associations and membership organisations, CAFA understands the unique pressures, structures and opportunities that clubs face because clubs, like associations, are membership organisations in their own right. That insight, combined with CAFA's specialist expertise and established relationships across the sector, means the programme is perfectly placed to scale and benefit even more clubs and communities.
Alison Heppenstall, CEO, Climate Action for Associations (CAFA), says:
“Sports clubs are the heartbeat of their communities, but long-term resilience doesn't happen by accident. Save Today, Play Tomorrow is driving a conversation that the sports sector urgently needs. Birmingham County Football Association have done a fantastic job in establishing the programme and building real momentum, and we're excited to be taking the reins and building on those strong foundations. We're proud to be supporting clubs with the tools and guidance they need to put sustainability at the heart of their future and ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.”
Kevin Shoemake, Chief Executive Officer, Birmingham County Football Association said:
Save Today, Play Tomorrow was born out of a simple belief - that grassroots clubs shouldn't have to choose between keeping the lights on and doing the right thing. What started as a local football initiative has grown into something far bigger, and we are delighted to partner with CAFA and work with them to take it forward and expand the programme and its impact even further. We're proud to remain a founding partner as the programme reaches more sports and more communities than ever before”.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Save Today, Play Tomorrow - hello@savetodayplaytomorrow.com
Climate Action for Associations - info@cafacollective.org
Birmingham County Football Association - Support@BirminghamFA.com
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