Each spring, Farnham Rugby Club sends more than 500 people, including players aged from U6 to U11, their parents and coaches, on a weekend rugby tour. Each annual tour has a different theme and this year the tour committee chose to embrace The Heroes Tour inviting everyone to become a hero,  sporting or otherwise – and specifically climate heroes

With young players very aware of the need to protect the planet, the club wanted the carbon footprint of the tour reduced to zero – and even beyond – helping to encourage both their young players and their parents to be part of tackling climate change.  

As part of this initiative, and in partnership with Debra Lee, Senior Woodland Management Officer at Surrey County Council’s ‘Natural Capital’ division, after their Sunday morning rugby, the club’s U10s age group planted 140 trees and hedge saplings on the borders of the Monkton Lane grounds. This will offset the carbon emissions that will be produced during the tour, and over the longer term boost, the diversity of flora and fauna at the club. The planting could not have happened without the support of the club’s volunteer head groundsman Steve Tomlinson.