Published: Mon 5 Jun 2023, 7:00 AM
MAYO GAA, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park and Mayo College of Further Education and Training have linked up as sustainability partners.
Mayo GAA Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, in collaboration with Mayo College of Further Education and Training, is thrilled to announce a ground-breaking sustainability partnership aimed at fostering environmental responsibility and community engagement within the county.
This unique alliance seeks to drive positive change, champion sustainable practices, and set a new standard for sporting and educational institutions.
The partnership was officially launched during the Mayo v Louth All-Ireland senior championship round 2 game at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park where college staff were on hand to give information on the partnership and courses on offer in the college.
Recognising the pressing need to address climate change and protect our planet for future generations, Mayo GAA and Mayo College of Further Education and Training are taking a proactive step towards a greener future. By combining their expertise, resources and shared values, they intend to leverage the power of sport, education and corporate social responsibility to create a lasting impact on the environment.
The cornerstone of this partnership is the implementation of comprehensive sustainability initiatives at the Hasting Insurance MacHale Park campus, the iconic home ground of Mayo GAA. The staff and students of Mayo College will work on implementing the recently ratified biodiversity plan, which was prepared with support from Mayo County Council's heritage office.
The college staff and students will assist in the stadium campus by working in collaboration on a series of transformative measures aimed at minimising its carbon footprint and promoting eco-conscious practices.
These efforts will include:
Maintenance and enhancement of the grass banks
The creation of green spaces and native planting initiatives
Removal and planting of trees and hedgerows
Installation of wooden planters
Planting of pollinator areas
Installation of bird and bat boxes.
In addition, Mayo College of Further Education and Training has a wide range of educational services that they will offer to clubs throughout Mayo, including provision of a free Level 5 specific purpose certificate in resource efficiency for a sustainable workplace for all GAA Clubs in Mayo. Details will be circulated to clubs on this shortly.
This course will identify and prioritise resource efficiency improvement actions suitable for their workplace or business in the areas of energy, water, waste, and material use.
It will assess the performance of their club in terms of energy use, material use, water use and waste production through tracking use and costs, and benchmarking. It will also outline the process required to implement resource efficiency improvements in their club.
Work experience students from Mayo College are available for projects in areas such as digital media and graphic design to design templates for GAA clubs, for film and photography to produce promotional videos, develop stock photography, sports coaching, turf grass management, and horticulture to assist with implementation of biodiversity plans.
Speaking about the partnership, Seamus Tuohy, chairman of Mayo GAA, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Mayo College of Further Education and Training to drive sustainability and environmental stewardship. Our aim is to be a role model in the sporting community and inspire others to take action towards a more sustainable future.”
Michael Murphy, principal of Mayo College of Further Education and Training, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “We are excited about this unique opportunity to integrate sustainability education with the power of sport. Together, we can make a real difference in our community and beyond.”
This collaboration marks an exciting turning point for sustainability efforts in County Mayo. Mayo GAA Hastings Insurance MacHale Park and Mayo College of Further Education and Training are ready to lead the way in promoting environmental responsibility and inspiring the community to embrace sustainable practices. Through this partnership, they aim to create a lasting legacy that will benefit generations to come.
Published: Mon 5 Jun 2023, 7:00 AM
