On the 8th September 2024, sports stars, celebrities and sustainable activists and entrepreneurs will descend on Richmond Athletic Ground for the world’s first eco-friendly rugby match, The Big Green Clash.

The event will spark important discussions around the power of sport and its capacity to play a more proactive role in driving more sustainable practices. From promoting the benefits of following a plant-based diet for amateur, elite and professional athletes, to looking at how sports clubs around the world can reduce their carbon footprint on matchdays, The Big Green Clash promises to pose important questions about sports’ long-term impact on the environment and the planet. The event promises to highlight sport’s central role in helping to drive more sustainable practices; from grassroots right to the very top.

Founder of the Green Gazelles and event organiser, Brendon Bale, says: “Our mission is to promote a more compassionate, eco-friendly and sustainable future through our love of rugby.”

“On and off the pitch, we can help kick carbon emissions firmly into touch and tackle environmental issues by promoting sustainable products and practices, plant-based foods, and raising funds for earth-friendly charities to enable them to do more.”

The Big Green Clash is being backed and sponsored by vegan entrepreneur and activist, Heather Mills, and her businesses VBites, Alternative Stores and Be at One.

Heather, who was officially declared the world’s fastest disabled female skier by Guinness World Records in 2023, says: “As someone deeply committed to sustainability, I’m thrilled to back The Big Green Clash, an event that is championing veganism in such a unique way. This event is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together, network, and drive conversations about how sport can lead the way in promoting environmental awareness and positive change.”

Working in collaboration with The Word Forest Organisation and Pledgeball and with more charities to be announced, all profits from the day will be donated to support a wide-range of projects helping to drive positive change for people and the planet.

Co-founder of Word Forest, Tracey West, says: “We have to use all the tools in the box to evoke swift environmental behaviour change to support and protect our planet. I cannot think of a more convivial way to raise awareness of what our world needs right now, than through a spectacular, sporting event.”

Chairman of Richmond Rugby, Nick Preston, says: “Richmond Rugby is proud to lend our support to The Big Green Clash. Sustainability in sport is becoming a critical issue and we look forward to hosting this key event in the autumn.”

Before kick-off, The Big Green Clash will host The Sports Climate Summit, connecting over 100 organisations to collaborate and connect on the day to begin building the foundations for more sustainable practices across the sporting spectrum. The main aim is clear: kick climate change into touch.