As proud title sponsor of the Premier, First and Women’s National Football Leagues, today we were thrilled to announce Sligo Rovers as the winner of the 2021 A Common Goal programme. The award acknowledges the club’s sustainability efforts over the season which led to them topping the sustainability league table following points allocation and review from an independent panel of judges. After their success in taking the biggest step towards sustainability, Sligo Rovers will now be rewarded with a club retrofit to the value of €25,000.

This year Sligo Rovers published its new sustainability strategy which focuses on continuing its hugely positive work with Sligo County Council. In 2021 the club took part in several initiatives including the introduction of a bottle bank facility at the Showgrounds, organising a volunteer litter pick up with Sligo County Council, as well as research conducted with club staff, players and fans with respect to transport. Sligo Rover's sustainability plans for the coming season include the addition of bicycle facilities in the Showgrounds to encourage supporters to travel by bike to matches as well as using the facility on non-matchdays to cycle to work. The club also plans to upgrade bins within the stadium to encourage recycling and reduce waste and eliminate invasive knotweed, which has grown around the club's training pitch.

SSE Airtricity announce Sligo Rovers as the winners of the inaugural A Common Goal sustainability award with FAI President Gerry McAnaney, FAI Partnership Account Manager Nicola Brannigan, SSE Airtricity Sponsorship and Marketing Manager Leanne Sheill making the presentation to Sligo's Shane Crossan and Head of Youth Development Conor O'Grady

Making the presentation on behalf of SSE Airtricity, Leanne Sheill, Sponsorship and Marketing Manager SSE Airtricity said: ““I’m delighted to present Sligo Rovers with the inaugural A Common Goal sustainability award and retrofit prize. We all want to live in a cleaner, greener world and at SSE Airtricity, we’re delighted to support the clubs and their communities in making greener choices that benefit the environment.

“A Common Goal was launched this year to improve the environmental sustainability of football clubs and the wider communities and over the course of the season, we introduced expert tips and advice, promoting positive discussions on how we can make our league one of the most environmentally sustainable in the world.

“SSE Airtricity committed to support League of Ireland and Women’s National League clubs in environmental initiatives offering a grant of €2,250 to each participating club and the €25,000 retrofit prize. We’ve been delighted with the response from clubs and their communities, it’s been fantastic to see clubs all over the country taking huge strides with sustainable initiative this season and supporting their communities to do the same.”

FAI League of Ireland Director, Mark Scanlon stated: “We are delighted to work with SSE Airtricity on this fantastic sustainability programme and I congratulate Sligo Rovers on their award as A Common Goal winners. Their project and their ongoing work around green themes at the Showground are an example to every League of Ireland and Women’s National League. I want to thank SSE Airtricity for their continued support of our national leagues, and we look forward to next year’s progamme.”

Sligo Rovers President Tommy Higgins said: “Everybody at Sligo Rovers was delighted to be involved with the SSE Airtricity A Common Goal initiative. I would particularly like to thank our staff and volunteers for their great work with this programme.”

Join the conversation and tell us what A Common Goal means to you using the hashtag #ACommonGoal on Instagram (@SSEAirtricityLeague), Twitter (@SSEAirtricityLg), and Facebook (@SSE Airtricity League).

About "A Common Goal"

• A Common Goal is a sustainability programme by SSE Airtricity aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of football clubs and the wider community.

• As part of the programme, we committed €50,000 to support League of Ireland and Women’s National League clubs in environmental initiatives offering a grant of €2,250 to each participating club.

Launched earlier this year, to mark our title sponsorship of the SSE Airtricity’s Premier, First and Women’s National Football Leagues, A Common Goal aims to improve the environmental sustainability of football clubs and the wider communities. At SSE Airtricity we’re committed to promoting positive conversation around sustainability and we’re passionate about involving sustainability and environmental programmes in our sponsorship of Irish football.

Over the course of the season, we have worked with clubs and players to help them to make greener choices that benefit the environment with club ambassadors competing in challenges each month, taking on different green themes and championing the positive action we can all make towards our common goal.

As part of the programme, SSE Airtricity committed €50,000 to support League of Ireland and Women’s National League clubs in environmental initiatives offering a grant of €2,250 to each participating club.

The award presentation took place at Sligo Rovers Showgrounds and was carried out in line with Covid-19 government guidance.