Sporting Club Isle of Man is honoured to have been approved as a UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Community Partner, the first team sporting organisation in the Island to be awarded the status.
One of Sporting Club Isle of Man’s core objectives is a commitment to using team sport to promote and support Manx community projects to develop and expand our Island’s existing social and sporting capital.
Its new status as a UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man partner will enable the club to promote the overarching work being done by many in the Island in:
- protecting the island’s natural resources
- developing the islands economy in a sustainable way
- supporting and promoting the island’s cultural heritage
- making a positive impact to the island’s environment
- engaging with the local community
- promoting the island’s outstanding living landscape and seascape through active involvement with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man
Sporting Club’s Partnership Director, Ty Smith:
From the very start of the Sporting Club project we wanted to recognise and share not only the special sense of community that the Isle of Man has, but also the cultural history and environmental factors which have made that community what it is today.
The Sporting Club project is all about recognising who we are and, whilst being unapologetically proud of that also recognising that we must always strive to be better in every sense of the word. This project sets out to use sport as a force for good. What better way to help share our culture whilst also ensuring that we encourage positive actions from our support base which help improve communities and environments both on and off-island?
Our strong stance on environmentally responsible practices is non-negotiable. The first components demonstrating this commitment were our move to partner with Hope & Glory Sportswear (ensuring our teams can compete in 100% RPET ECOkit) followed by moving to an all-digital ticketing system.
These actions alone have both significantly reduced waste and ensured fewer natural resources are consumed in relation to the club’s activity. In addition, we have made Beach Buddies our first community partner in order to promote the amazing impact the organisation has had on the environment but also to support the outstanding work it does around community engagement.
Becoming an official Community Partner of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man helps cement this work, gives us a clear public commitment that our members can hold us accountable too, and also allows us to join a community of like-minded organisations set on affecting change in an efficient and cohesive way.
Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK, Chairman of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man:
As a UNESCO Biosphere, we commit to protect all that we hold dear in the Isle of Man: our outstanding natural environment, our unique culture, our strong heritage and our tremendous sense of community, which combine to make us the special place we are.
Sport is an intrinsic part of our Island’s success and we achieve much on the world stage. It is heartening that Sporting Club Isle of Man and its associated clubs have signed up to the Biosphere Pledge and will proudly support our Biosphere’s aims.
Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture:
Our leading athletes inspire others and it is pleasing that, from the kit they train in to making events as waste-free as possible and supporting beach cleaning, Sporting Club Isle of Man sportsmen and women will lead by example.