In the modern era of football, where the sport’s influence extends far beyond the pitch, players are increasingly recognizing their platform’s potential to drive meaningful change. One such figure is Alexei Rojas, Arsenal’s promising young goalkeeper, who exemplifies the new generation of athletes committed to environmental sustainability and climate action.

From an early age, Rojas demonstrated a profound dedication to both his sport and the planet. His journey began at the age of four, playing grassroots football, and has since ascended to the ranks of one of the world’s most prestigious clubs in Arsenal. Beyond his athletic prowess, Rojas has emerged as an environmental champion within Arsenal’s Academy.

Rojas believes in the power of collective action and the unique position football holds in influencing global audiences. He asserts that football can inspire people worldwide in a way that no other industry can, emphasizing the duty of players and clubs to lead by example in sustainability efforts. The team logos hold a value much beyond an image.

Through his advocacy, Rojas encourages concrete actionable changes, underscoring that individual efforts can collectively make a significant impact on environmental preservation.

Alexei was kind enough to take some time after a training session to shares insights into his journey, the intersection of football and environmental responsibility, and his vision for a more sustainable future in the sport.

Bonito: Alexei, thank you so much for joining us on the Bonito Platform, its so inspiring to see an up and coming professional football player so engaged in sustainability in football.

Alexei: Thanks so much for having me, its great to see platforms like Bonito emerging and engaging with the sport at both the grassroots level all the way up to the professional level.

Bonito: How did your love for football begin, and can you share your journey from playing grassroots football in your home country to becoming part of one of the world’s most prestigious clubs?

Alexei: My love for football began at a very young age. I started playing football when I was four years old. I started kicking the ball about with my dad, with my younger brother going to the park. And then when I was five years old, I joined my first football team. Within the space of two months, I decided that I wanted to be a goalkeeper because I loved the position. I loved the responsibility that you have, the uniqueness of the position. And also, I was good at it back then at that age compared to everybody else. So it was a very easy decision for me to stay in goal. then talking about my journey going from grassroots I played grassroots football up until I was 13 and throughout that period I went on trial at a number of clubs in the London area where I was not signed they didn’t want to have me there so that was a period where I had to stay resilient and keep going -keep moving forward and then when I was 13 I had a trial at Arsenal Football Club and was signed after five weeks so that was a fantastic opportunity for me that I managed to maximize and now I’ve been at Arsenal for over six years having signed my first professional contract in July of 2024 and now being part of the first team.

Bonito: Such a good lesson for youngsters out there to be resilient and not give up! Football connects people across cultures and backgrounds like few other things can. Why do you think the game resonates so deeply with such a diverse global audience?

Alexei: I feel that football resonates so deeply with people on a global scale because it’s a sport that we all love. People feel very connected to their nations, to their club teams, and everyone grows up playing and watching football. And even at older ages, people still go and watch football. Whenever the national team plays it, it unites the country. And it’s a sport that everybody loves because it’s so simple to play. All you need is a ball and some space. So I think football is the most powerful sport in the world and also I think the most powerful tool to send messages to people, to initiate global change. 

Bonito: At Bonito, we focus a lot on the potential of coaches to impact people lives. How significant have your youth coaches been in shaping your development, not only as a player but also as a person?

Alexei:  The people on my journey have been very important in shaping me as a player and as a person. It’s very important that from a young age you learn the technical foundations, that you’re given the opportunity to make mistakes, you learn from mistakes, you’re given that opportunity to improve as well. Because failure is ultimately what makes me better as a player because I pass through lots of experiences and I’m able to understand what works for me and what doesn’t. And then the personal side is fundamental. At Arsenal we have a great academy manager, he’s called Per Mertesacker. He always talks about better players make better people and better people make better players and it’s a positive cycle. So being a good person is fundamental because you’re not going to be a footballer for your whole life and you’re going to come across a number of people. You’re going to have to work within team environments where there’s lots of different personalities, lots of different people with different backgrounds. So it’s important to know how to treat people, how to be able to communicate and how to be able to get the best from the team around you.

Bonito: I just love the concept of the positive cycle that Per has imparted at Arsenal. 

Bonito: What role do you think professional football clubs and players can play in addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges today?

Alexei:I feel that football is the most powerful tool that we have in the world today. It’s the most watched sport in the world and the influence that football can have on people is huge. You see how closely fans resonate to their clubs, that whenever a player gets new boots or a club gets a new shirt, they want to do that. They want to buy the new shirt, buy the new boots. I would love to see football have the same social change, where a club pushes for sustainability in my case and it leads to people being more sustainable in their day-to-day action. Footballers and football clubs are some of the most watched, some of the most observed people and organizations in the world. Huge role models for adults and children. So the examples that we set as professional footballers and as football clubs are really important in driving change globally. 

Bonito: Young people around the world are increasingly focused on climate change and climate justice. Do you see a similar awareness and engagement among young professional footballers today, compared to their older teammates?

Alexei:  Oh absolutely I definitely agree that every day there are more and more footballers who are more concerned about climate change and the impacts that we are having on our planet, not only generally, but also from a football perspective, with all the logistics, all the travel and all the fan travel that comes with it. So I feel that as footballers, we have a responsibility to, at the very minimum, make people aware, try and influence people, to try and help the world be a more sustainable place because of the huge outreach and the huge audience that we have. And I definitely think that as time passes and we move more into the future, we’re going to see a lot more players advocating for sustainability.

Bonito: The Arsenal logo carries immense power and recognition. How impactful do you think it is when it comes to advocacy and community outreach? Can you give a few examples of projects close to your heart?

Alexei: Arsenal is a huge club, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and with that audience, with the resources that we have, I feel that we have a huge opportunity to make change and make the world a better place for people within football and people outside of football as well. A few projects that I find have been quite close to me is making the club more sustainable internally, reducing our single-use plastic, introducing recycling bins, helping out with the food bank, the food waste, eliminating that as much as possible and introducing more sustainable behaviors on a day-to-day basis. Another project i’ve been involved with as well that’s been in collaboration with football for future has been implementing a sustainability strategy with the premier league for how we’re going to educate and develop young players into having more awareness about sustainability and how they’re able to take action

Bonito: Educating young players seems vital and great to have such a wonderful organization like Football for Future onboard. Is there a player you’ve encountered who doesn’t always get the spotlight for their work in the community but deserves recognition? Who would you highlight and why?

Alexei:  There are many players that I know definitely take a lot of community action and as you say they’re not recognized for what they do that I wouldn’t even know myself. I know there are many good people in football, people that want to give back to the community that they come from because they come from very difficult upbringings and use their platform to do good in the world. that is very very important and that’s definitely something that I would love to do is to help people to make the world a better place and maximize my audience and my position as a footballer to have positive impacts on people.

Bonito: Alexei, thank you so much for taking your time today with us and for giving us a glimpse of what we hope is the new modern professional footballer leading the mission for more sustainability in the game.

Alexei: Thank you for having me- we look forward to having Bonito at Emirates Stadium some day!

Elin Landström has built an impressive career in professional football, winning a Serie A title with AS Roma and competing at the highest levels of the game. As women’s football continues to grow, she has seen firsthand the progress being made and the challenges that remain. Beyond her achievements on the pitch, she is also passionate about making the sport more sustainable and accessible for future generations.

In addition to her playing career, Elin is an advocate for climate action and social impact in football. As an ambassador for Common Goal and Football4Future, she is helping to raise awareness about how football can be a force for positive change. She also speaks about the need for more women in coaching, emphasizing how role models play a decisive role in showing young girls that they can have a future in football—both on and off the pitch. Elin joins us today to share her experiences in the game, her thoughts on the growth of women’s football, and why sustainability and representation in sport are issues she cares deeply about.

Bonito: Elin, its such an honor to have you join us on the Bonito platform! 

Elin: Thanks so much for having me, what a great initiative!

Bonito: Can you please tell us about how your passion for football began and how that translated into your incredible journey through grassroots football clubs to some of the biggest clubs in professional football?

Elin: My passion for football began in my backyard in northern Sweden together with my two siblings. We also lived close by the pitch where the local team played and always went there to watch their games. Later on my parents brought me to the closest city, Umeå, to watch Umeå IK who were the real giants during the beginning of 2000 and that’s when I started dreaming of becoming a player in Damallsvenskan (Women’s top division in Sweden). I was lucky enough to be able to play for their youth team when I was about 14 years old and when I was 16, I did my first session with the first team. My debut for Umeå IK was actually in the Champions League and it was a dream come true. I stayed in Umeå for seven more years before moving to Gothenburg and then over to Linköping. After more than 12 years in Damallsvenskan I joined Inter Milan and moved to Italy. I spent one year in Inter before moving south and played for AS Roma where we won the league. Moving abroad was the most inspiring and yet challenging thing I have ever done. It was a journey I will never forget and always will cherish.

Bonito: What a fantastic career you have had. It also seems that growing up in Umeå and seeing the game so close was a big factor in your dreams of becoming a professional player.  What role did your coaches along the way have in your development as a player and a person? Is there one coach in particular who stands out in your mind?

Elin: I have had several coaches during my career, and they have all taught me something. The one coach that meant the most to me is Joakim Blomqvist. We worked together during my time in Umeå and without his help I don’t think I would have been able to play at the level I actually did. He gave me tools and knowledge on football but also on the psychological skills you need to build the resilience you need to perform at a professional level.

Bonito: Womens football is growing and more and more young competitive girls are seeing that it is possible to have a career as a professional player although there is still so much to be done in this arena- can you remember the moment that you realized that your dreams of being a professional football player could be a reality?

Elin: I had the, maybe unique, opportunity to grow up in Umeå while Umeå IK was the biggest club in Europe. I could watch high quality football every week and I got role models from a young age, at a time when women’s football wasn’t that visible. For me, it came
naturally that both boys and girls could become professional players. It turned out it wasn’t completely true at that moment, but what was important was my belief in it. I think this is what’s still important and there’s still a lot to be done. Making women’s football visible, making it easier for young girls to connect and get role models, will create big dreaming girls.

Bonito: Can you describe what it was like to play for both Inter and AS Roma in the Italian football league? What role do these bigger traditional clubs have in growing the women’s game.

Elin: It was a big cultural change for me to play in Italy compared to Sweden. I learned a lot during my years in Italy and I think the leagues can learn a lot from each other. Where Sweden has been creating good conditions in women’s football for a long time, the Italian
clubs are just starting, but they have completely different possibilities to make the big investments. It was truly inspiring to see from within these organisations, but I can also see how things could be done more efficiently. Big traditional clubs have a big role in the development of the women’s game and sharing experiences and ideas between clubs, leagues and countries will speed up the growth to unimaginable levels.

Bonito: Both in Sweden and Globally, there is a shortage of female coaches and technical staff despite the game growing at such a rapid pace- how can we encourage more girls  and create the conditions necessary for them to stay in the sport and continue as coaches and staff? It seems that this is vital also when we discussed earlier that role models can be the reference point to believing one can have a future in the game.

Elin: This is a simple but yet complicated question. We need to find out what the girls and women need in terms of conditions to be willing and able to stay, or get in to the coaching and staff of football. I don’t think we should only focus on previous professional players, there are plenty of intelligent women out there who could be excellent coaches without a professional career as a player. With that said, I find it important to make bigger investments on an educational level, to make it accessible for women. There is also a need of investment in time, where this education and investments are being directed to the right group.

Bonito: You retired from football last year, can you tell us a bit about your next career and also your role on the commercial supervisory board at FIFPRO?

Elin: I was studying law during my career and have a master’s in law and sports law. Now I find myself a legal associate at a law firm in Umeå, Ahlgrens Advokatbyrå. I am still engaged in football through the board of Spelarföreningen (Swedish Players Union) and FIFPRO, and I am very grateful to be able to keep working with the areas I find interesting, law and sports. Through FIFPRO and Spelarföreningen I get to keep strengthening and securing the rights of players, which I find really inspiring.

Bonito: At AS Roma, you took part in a unique sustainability campaign where the club went directly to the supporters to decide which social issues were most important for the club to address in its sustainability strategy- can you tell us a bit about that experience and why its so important for a club to listen to its members like that with regards to the pressing needs that local communities are experiencing?

Elin: Sometimes campaigns and initiatives can tend to not actually reach the targeted group, and might even disconnect the organization from it. By listening to the members of the club, who they wanted to reach, I think the members found the campaign more authentic and targeted to them. By connecting in that way, it may be easier to then present new initiatives and help the members to take better decisions, in this case regarding sustainability. The starting point of these matters are very different around the world, and also within Europe. I think its important to make it easier for everyone to take good decisions for themselves and our planet, but it must start at a level that seems doable for the individual.

Bonito: Could you give some advice to grassroots football clubs who want to be more inclusive and grow womens football- what are some of the most important steps that a club director can take to ensure conditions are right for young girls to become passionate football players for life?

Elin:I think the main point here is “for life”. The debate is often stuck at how to create more and better professional players, but I don’t think that should be the objective as a grassroots football club. By creating an inclusive environment where as many kids as possible is
felt seen, we are giving them the opportunity to become passionate football players for life. This will probably strengthen the level of professional players in long term, but more important is that all the kids get to find the love of football.

Bonito: Thanks so much Elin, its been an honor to have you join us on the platform. Such a wonderful career and we look forward to following your next career and hopefully collaborating on some projects together!

Elin: That would be great. Thanks so much for welcoming me to the Bonito community.

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BIO
Name: Elin Landström

Organization: Ahlgrens Advokatbyrå (Legal Associate), Spelarföreningen (Board member), FIFPRO (Commercial Supervisory Board), Common Goal/Football4Future (Ambassador), We Play Green (Team Player)

Favorite Football Club: Umeå IK

Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: I’m always open for collaborations where sport and climate issues are being connected.

 

In rural Kenya, where agriculture is the backbone of daily life, George Osoya has found an extraordinary way to unite farming and football to empower his community. Through his organization, Football Without Borders, George is leveraging the universal appeal of the beautiful game to educate young people about sustainable farming practices while fostering teamwork, leadership, and opportunity. This innovative approach not only nurtures talent on the pitch but also equips youth with essential agricultural skills, blending two vital pillars of the community to cultivate a brighter future.

Bonito: Welcome to the Bonito Platform George- Tell us about how your passion for football began and how you were captivated to explore the ways the game could bring about positive changes for society? 

George: My passion for football began during my younger days, I used to carry one of those polythene cover balls around with strings five to ten going to school. We had an evening league from grade four to eight and I was the only person with the ball! Those kids were more physically advanced than me but luckily as the only one with a ball they had to let me play- no Geroge=No Ball! So it was forcing them to give me a chance to play even though I wasn’t a good footballer. Coming to secondary school now I started playing with a real ball and this was due to my brother Josky who was a goalkeeper in the top team in Kenya premier league called Sony Sunger, I gained confidence and wanted to join the top leagues too. After my high school I went for trial and I signed my first ever contract with KCB Club. Before the leagues fixture you have friendly matches and that’s where I began to carry the dream of playing as a national or professional player. Sadly, I got a very serious injury the MCL and ACL were damaged, I came back home and founded an organization call Society Empowerment Project who gave me another life after sports.

Bonito: When one door closes another opens! You have been around the football world all of your life- why do you think football evokes such powerful sentiments with such a broad range of people all over the world?

George: It’s a very entertaining tool and brings joy, fun and love. It’s the only method that I know where every person follows either victory or loss with conversation and a feeling of togetherness. I think because it brings so many people together, giving the information is very easy. It is only culture and a unique way of giving feedback to every culture.

Bonito: Tell us about Football without Borders Kenya- how did it start?

George: Football without borders-Kenya is a community based organization that uses the power of football to mobilize youth, empower and skill develop them in the areas of agriculture, education, female empowerment, afforestation, WASH, Health and Football for Life. We are also large on teaching our young ones life skills every opportunity we get because we believe self-development equals  community development.

As of  2021, we are working with 25 schools and with 8 zones .

Bonito: Could you tell us a bit more about your main programs?

George: Of course, let me list them:

FOOTBALL 4 AGRICULTURE – For a while now we have been running Football 4 Agribusiness where we encourage our communities to engage in modern and sustainable farming through sporting activities. Through the program we have created the Young Farmer Club and organized one-day tournaments and workshops in this regard. Football without Borders Kenya aim has always been to eradicate poverty and hunger and bring food security starting with the family unit. By encouraging and supporting our young ones to engage in agricultural activities at home we ensure that every one of our members and their families can cater for their immediate basic needs especially food. Read more about it here, its really our flagship program!

FWB ACADEMY- FWB Academy aims at supporting the development of the most talented players in communities who are selected to enter the academy. The program works to support the players in Football Without Borders. The most talented players from the Football Without Borders develop their education, life skills in addition to the sport skills. Currently, the academy only runs boys under 13 years football but this is an area that we want to expand and also open a girls academy.

EDUCATION- We have made large strides in ensuring our youth stay focused on their studies even when they are away from school. We so far have books and even laptops to ensure holistic learning. We know and appreciate the importance of a library in building and sustaining a healthy community. Our community library ensures that there is a balance Between sports, impacting of life skills and education. The presence of the library has ensured after school reading programs and preparation for exams.

LIFE ON THE BALL- FWB-K has over time found a way to integrate Football and Natural learning in a 20 minute small-sided match with no referees. Within this exciting Football match questions of the day are placed in corners to be opened, reflected on and answered at particular times of the match. Active learning beats all forms of learning as students get involved, engaged and work together to solve a problem. We have successfully integrated this concept in agriculture, female empowerment and afforestation.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT– Menstrual hygiene management martial arts education for self defense. Making of reusable sanitary towels and period pants. We run workshops also within the areas of the importance of education and on subjects like early marriages and pregnancies, gender based violence and many others.

FOOTBALL 4 WASH– We might not have enough funds to put into the program but we continue to strive to empower our girls,Menstrual Hygiene Management Training and creating awareness against stereotypes and cultural practices. We marked the menstruation hygiene month by carrying out workshops and a woman empowerment tournament

AFFORESTATION- We recognize the need to conserve the environment by planting a tree in every free spot and at every opportunity. We started the initiative last year and continue to plant our own share of the 10% forest cover Kenya aims to achieve by the year 2030. 

Bonito: Fantastic portfolio of programs George. In your region, the majority of the inhabitants work with agriculture. Agriculture, like football, is very affected by climate change- what are some of the ways that regions like yours work to protect against climate related disturbances?

George: Some concrete examples are crop rotation, reduced tillage, mulching, cover cropping and cross-slope farming. You might have to look some of these terms up!

Football Without Borders Kenya also collect garbage and plastic to use them as markers and cones  Making reusable sanitary pads and period panties also help my community health wise due to no disposal pads that affect our environment.

Bonito: Can you tell us about a moment in your journey so far which has truly touched you and inspired you?

George: Yes, I was so lucky to have been chosen by Wilfried Lemke and the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) to attend one of their Youth Leadership Programs in Bosön in Sweden. Just being there was an inspiration and made me realize that all of this was possible- it was definitely a turning point for me.

Bonito: George, thanks so much for speaking with us and we hope to have you on the platform again soon to help us delve deeper into the practical elements associated with football for agricultural development and resilience!

George: Thanks Bonito!

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BIO

Name: George Osoya

Organization (s): Football without Borders Kenya

Role: Founder/Director 

Favorite Football (or sport) for good organization apart from your own:Mathare Youth sports association (MYSA)

Favorite Football Club: Chelsea 

Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: Common Goal, FDF

About George: George Okoth Osoya is the Founder and Director of Football Without Borders Kenya, an organization empowering youth through sports by impacting education, physical wellness, nurturing talents, and teaching life skills. From a young age, George envisioned a community free from HIV/AIDS, poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, early marriages, and drug abuse. His dedication has led to the organization’s tremendous growth, particularly in empowering girls and women. Football Without Borders Kenya now boasts men, women, and junior teams participating in national tournaments and championships.

George graduated from the African ChangeMakers with a project management certificate in 2018 and holds various certificates in women empowerment, disability, sustainability, leadership management, human rights, and child protection. He is also a qualified referee and coach working for the Football Federation of Kenya. Currently, he is involved in creating and participating in leagues and workshops focusing on menstrual hygiene management, agriculture, and general women empowerment for skill development. George’s dedication has earned him numerous awards, sponsors, and opportunities for volunteer and exchange programs, further growing his community.

It was 2002, and Brazil had just clinched their record-breaking fifth World Cup title. In Zimbabwe, a nine-year-old boy named Webster sat glued to the TV, captivated by Ronaldo and the magic of the beautiful game. Little did he know, this moment would shape his destiny. As twilight fell and his mother called him to wash away the day’s dirt, Webster began to map out his life in four-year cycles, using future World Cups as guideposts. Secondary school by 2006, A-levels by 2010, and university by 2014—such was the impact of football on his dreams. With only his imagination and passion as tools, Webster’s journey into the world of football had begun.

Fast forward 22 years, and that young boy with big dreams has transformed into a researcher and advocate who has married his love for football with a commitment to social impact. Webster’s career spans groundbreaking research on football and international trade to meaningful work with marginalized communities. His story is a testament to the unifying power of football and its ability to inspire not just ambition, but real, tangible change in the world.

Bonito: Hi Webster, thanks for joining us. Tell us about how your passion for football began and how you were captivated to explore the ways the game could bring about positive changes for society? 

Webster: Thanks for having me! For me the setting is 2002, Brazil have just lifted a record fifth World Cup inspired by Ronaldo. A young 9 year old boy has just finished watching the first world cup of the 21st century without the slightest realization of how this historical experience would shape his destiny. Due to the vagaries of time zones between Asia and my modest landlocked country of Zimbabwe, I am called to bath by my mother at twilight to wash up having just witnessed the trophy presentation. As I do that, I envisage my life before me with the use of future World Cups as my guiding thread, only after my father had informed me it occurred every four years. By my final systemic tally, referenced by 4 year intervals (all World Cup years), my ambitions consist roughly of going to secondary school by 2006, being in A level by 2010 and to be in University by 2014; such was my love for Sport. Thus, I would begin my journey armed with nothing but my idealistic conceptualizations and my 4 year plans.

Twenty-two years on, I can definitely say that my shower daydreaming that cool late afternoon in July somewhat kick-started my mobility towards my involvement in football/sport as I have managed to marry my passion to reason.

Bonito: Why do you think football evokes such powerful sentiments with such a broad range of people all over the world? 

Webster: I believe football evokes powerful sentiments from people the world over as it has something that sets it apart from other sports, whether it be its status as the most played sport globally, the opportunities it creates beyond football (think jobs, inclusion etc), the adoration of players as role models which allow children to dream or the tribalism (rivalries) that characterizes it – the fusion and intersection of all of these makes football have such a powerful reach

Bonito: Tell us about your current research at the University of Malmö regarding football and trade?

Webster: Of course! I am researching on football and international trade to try to understand how football clubs use free trade agreements when sourcing their goods and services (including players) and whether they impress international trade sustainability standards within their supply chains.

Bonito: FIFA and the WTO recently started a partnership, what is the potential impact (positive or negative of such a partnership)?

Webster: This is a great question and this partnership is something I have also been trying to factor into my research as FIFA naturally carries influence. On the positives, this partnership is predicated at harmonizing trade and football by having manufacturing of football products such as shirts, kits etc happening in 4 or 5 African countries with supposedly the most sustainable cotton in the world. A number of positives can be read from this. Firstly, having these products manufactured, then exported from Africa would bring in more GDP for the African countries exporting the products which will be value added, compared to the age long and economically unsustainable practice whereby African countries export raw materials primarily. In general we need to find ways to allow all parts of the world to benefit from the massive economic opportunities that come with growing the football industry. 

Another potential benefit is the globalization of the football industry. For instance, manufacturing often takes place in different regions, which can support local cotton farmers and boost the local manufacturing sector. However, as with most globalized processes, there may be negative externalities, particularly concerning labor standards and the rights of workers in these manufacturing industries.

Bonito: Where do you see the football/sport for social good field heading in the next years? Where do you think academics in this field will focus their research on?

Webster: This is an interesting question. I genuinely think that this field will, if not already, develop in a trajectory that sees sport organizations (football clubs and private companies) as the main player or actors as they are the middle man between producers or  suppliers and society, hence have a major role to play. Furthermore, as politics becomes increasingly intertwined with sports, researchers will need to focus on an emerging angle: beyond the traditional narrative of  regimes using sports for propaganda, their involvement may also reflect elements of “sport for social good.” This trend highlights how gaining legitimacy through sports is likely to increasingly incorporate such dimensions in the future.

Bonito: Can you tell us about a moment in your football (or sport) for social good journey that touched your heart profoundly?

Webster: I worked on a project with the Saudi sport for All organization by consulting on how to attract and retain girls in sport. For me, this was a poignant experience as Nike agreed to partner with Saudi Sport for All organization by providing Nike themed hijabs as we perceived the lack or apparel as  one of the main barriers to female participation in sport. It was refreshing as this exercise resulted in so many girls participating in sport and some also being identified and supported to pursue their chosen sports further at a competitive level.

Bonito: Is there one colleague at your organization or who you have collaborated with who maybe doesn’t always get the spotlight that you would like to shine today and why?

Webster: This would be Franz Atare, who invented the game called Floormatics aimed at inclusion of the blind therefore allowing the blind and those with no visual impairment to compete on a level playing field. 

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BIO

Name: Webster Chakawata

Organization (s): Malmö University

Role: Researcher

Favorite Football Club: The Arsenal FC

Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: Laureus

 

 

Elliot Arthur-Worsop didn’t just grow up as a Brighton & Hove Albion supporter—he grew up living and breathing the rollercoaster that comes with loving a club through relegations, promotions, and Premier League dreams. But as his relationship with football deepened, so did his awareness of its potential for more than victory on the pitch. Inspired by movements like Common Goal and Kick It Out, Elliot realized football could drive social change. Now, as the founder of Football For Future (FFF), Elliot is tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time: using football to inspire action against climate change. In this interview, he shares his journey, the urgency of FFF’s work, and the critical intersection between sport and sustainability.

Bonito: Elliot, thanks so much for joining us to talk about your fantastic and rapidly growing organization Football for Future!

Elliot: Thanks for having me and sharing our story.

Bonito: Tell us about how your passion for football began and how you were captivated to explore the ways the game could bring about positive changes for society? 

Elliot: I’ve been a lifelong Brighton & Hove Albion fan, experiencing all the ups and downs that come with supporting a club like ours. From relegations and promotions to playoff heartbreak and the eventual rise to the Premier League, my love for the game has been deeply personal and transformative.

Growing up playing football myself, often channeling my inner Zizou, I saw firsthand how football brings people together. But it wasn’t just about playing or watching—it was the powerful social movements that used football as a vehicle for change that inspired me. Organizations like Football Beyond Borders, Common Goal, Kick It Out, and initiatives like Rainbow Laces showed me how the game could address issues like racism, gender inequality, and LGBTQ+ rights. These movements inspired me to explore how football could also play a pivotal role in the climate movement.

Bonito: Football resonates deeply across cultures and continents. In your view, what makes the sport such a universal and emotional connection point for people around the world?

Elliot: Football is not just the most fun and engaging sport, it taps into universal values that resonate across cultures, age groups, and backgrounds. The game embodies teamwork, respect, belief, and the magic of possibility—it reminds us that anything can happen, right up until the last minute. There’s also a certain tribalism and identity that comes with supporting a club or team, creating a sense of belonging that traditional outreach methods often can’t achieve. This mix of joy and loyalty makes football the perfect tool to reach people who might otherwise be hard to engage. Not only is it the funnest game ever, it speaks to important values that cut across all demographics and parts of society. teamwork, respect, belief, magic, fairness, anything is possible until the last minute. also tribalism!

Bonito: Tell us about how Football for Future started and where do you see it 5 years from now?

Elliot: Football For Future started in a pretty organic way. I come from an environmental activism background, and one day I went to a climate demo wearing my Brighton shirt. I grabbed a pizza box and wrote “Brighton Fans for Climate Justice” on the back. The response I got was overwhelming—it really clicked that football and climate could connect in a meaningful way.

At the time, I was studying a master’s in Movement Building at the Institute of Development Studies and started looking deeper into how football could be a vehicle for climate action. Football has already been an amazing platform for causes like food poverty, gender equity, and racial justice, but no one had seriously explored its potential for climate advocacy. I teamed up with a brilliant designer I knew, and Football For Future was born.

Looking five years ahead, I’d love for us to be out of business because that would mean the global football industry has taken serious, proportionate climate action. The sector is starting to move, but it’s a race against time.

Bonito: Where do you see the football for good sector going in the next years in the UK, given its prominence as the host of the worlds biggest football league? 

Elliot: I see the sector leaning more toward branding and purpose-driven business models. The older charitable or non-profit frameworks are becoming outdated, especially when trying to connect with younger audiences. It’s not just about doing good anymore—it’s about communicating that purpose effectively. And with grant funding drying up, partly due to Brexit, there’s going to be a need for more innovative approaches to secure support and engage stakeholders. It’ll be interesting to see how this evolves.

Bonito: We think so too- we also agree that younger audiences are after a certain authenticity when it comes to purpose driven initiatives- feels like there can be a real power in that going forward.

Elliot: Absolutely

Bonito: What do you think of the new UK Football Governance Bill? (For those who don’t know about the bill, it intends to appoint a regulator to ensure that English football is sustainable and resilient for the benefit of fans and the local communities football clubs serve)

Elliot: The Football Governance Bill is an important step, especially if it genuinely prioritizes the interests of players, clubs, and fans. However, it’s vital that environmental sustainability is a key part of its framework. It’s about finding ways to integrate these goals in a way that is realistic and beneficial for the game itself, while addressing broader social and environmental responsibilities.

Bonito: We are seeing this dramatic impact  from climate change already around the world and grassroots football programs are no exceptions. what are some examples of the impact climate change has on grassroots programs and what do you estimate the societal cost of this negative effect on the social services it provides? (here im thinking about the social value of football and the lack of access that climate change is causing- it must have quite a cost to society!).

Elliot: Grassroots football is already feeling the effects of climate change. In the UK alone, it’s estimated that between 62,500 to 120,000 grassroots matches are canceled or postponed each year due to climate-related disruptions. Flooding has become a massive issue—about a third of community pitches are already unplayable for two months of the year. With the Met Office predicting winters up to 30% wetter by 2070, the situation is only going to get worse.

Extreme heat, heavy rain, and scheduling chaos are also factors. This means players miss out on games, affecting both physical and mental health. For smaller clubs, these disruptions can be a death sentence, potentially causing them to fold, which can fracture vital community organizations. And we can’t ignore the fact that women’s football and grassroots programs are particularly vulnerable to these disruptions, exacerbating existing inequalities.

Bonito: It is as you said a race against the clock.

Bonito: Tell us Elliot, what has been the most touching moment thus far in your FFF journey?

Elliot: From a professional standpoint, working with academy players has been one of the most inspiring aspects of my journey. The conversations we have about the future of the planet and the game are incredibly motivating—it’s amazing to think these could be future Premier League or World Cup stars leading the charge for climate action.

On a personal note, one of my favorite moments was having my dad join me at the Eden Project, where I was speaking alongside my good friend, Arsenal goalkeeper Alexei Rojas. It was a special weekend, and it meant a lot to me for my dad to see me in my element, doing something I’m so passionate about.

Bonito: Thanks so much for talking to us today Elliot- the work you do is so fantastic and as a field we are so lucky to have you helping lead the charge towards climate justice and advocacy in our beautiful game.

Elliot: Thanks so much and great to see Bonito growing- great initiative!

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BIO

Name: Elliot Arthur-Worsop

About: Elliot is a climate expert and Sports Industry 30-under-30 Leader. Elliot is founder of Football For Future (FFF), a pioneering non-profit specialising in football, climate awareness and sustainable impact.

FFF have developed industry-leading climate education and training programmes in football, award winning player advocacy campaigns, and sustainability strategies for Premier League clubs and national football leagues.

Partners include Nike, the Premier League, Arsenal, Chelsea and more.

Organization (s): football for future 

Role: founder

Favorite Football (or sport) for good organization apart from your own: common goal!

Favorite Football Club: Brighton!

Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: PLCF or common goal again!

 

AT RISK COMMUNITY SPORT ORGANISATIONS AROUND THE
WORLD THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE TAKE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND ACTION

Diverse sport-based community organisations, many based in the most vulnerable areas on Earth due to the effects of climate change, have celebrated the arrival of Fields of Change, the first ever sustainability resource for grassroots organisations. This unique training resource is designed to inspire sport for good organisations worldwide to integrate environmental sustainability into their projects and communities.

Fields of Change was created by environmental non-profit Football For Future and Common Goal, the social and environmental impact collective in global football, and has been supported by adidas under the company’s Move for the Planet platform. Sport is increasingly impacted by climate change – freezing and flooding pitches, extreme heat affecting athlete health, and limited access to sport for vulnerable communities are just a few of the challenges facing the sector. With sport playing a crucial role in communities worldwide, the arrival of the Fields of Change handbook provides organisations for the first time with the tools to adapt to these challenges while driving meaningful environmental action. The innovation has been celebrated by community leaders and elite athletes alike.

Alexei Rojas, the Colombia international and Arsenal Goalkeeper, said: “Sport is such a vital part of South America’s cultural identity that we should take a leadership position in advancing the conversation around climate action to take solid steps collectively every single day, no matter how modest. The Fields of Change handbook is such an inspiring step forward as it can be embraced by all sport-based organisations at the heart of our communities throughout the continent, while also being part of a wider international collective of change makers in sport.”

Emilio Martinez, regional project manager for love.fútbol in Mexico City said: “With higher rates of drought, coupled with a changing rainy season pattern, we are already seeing the effects of climate change on the communities we work in, and we want to be amongst the first groups taking meaningful action from the grassroots upwards when it comes to how community sports space creation can be a part of the solution. The Fields of Change handbook serves as a guide for us to take action, both here locally, and also collectively with other community organisations around the world. Operating in regions that are amongst the highest areas of risk of negative climate impact, we see an important opportunity for love.fútbol to take a leadership role in showing the rest of the sports industry what can be achieved if we all work together.”

Sofie Junge Pedersen, the Denmark international and Inter Milan midfielder said: “This is an important step in empowering grassroots sport organisations worldwide to take tangible action against climate change, with many of them facing the very real and urgent risk of its harshest impacts. The Fields of Change handbook is a game-changer, enabling grassroots sport to unite and work collaboratively in taking climate action. Climate change is a challenge for all of humanity, and we can only make meaningful progress if we move forward together, one step at a time.”

Greg Preston, Head of Football for Indochina Starfish Foundation in Cambodia said: “Fields of Change is a positive and groundbreaking initiative that allows us to embed sustainability into the heart of our community. It gives us all a pathway to educate and take action and allows us to be an active part of the growing community in international sport committed to driving climate action in and through sport.”

The Fields Of Change handbook compiles groundbreaking insights from learning sessions delivered to Move for the Planet grantees, specifically a collaboration of nine global sport for good organisations across eight countries and four continents. This handbook serves as an essential guide for sports organisations on their journey toward sustainability, offering practical tools and strategies for implementing environmental best practices. The handbook covers key sustainability topics, including:

● Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change: Explaining the unprecedented rate of environmental change, and how sport can respond to climate challenges on human timescales.● Sustainability in Sport: Highlighting how sport can lead both operationally and socially toward a sustainable future.
● Sustainable Infrastructure: Guiding organisations on how to measure, mitigate, and adapt their infrastructure to reduce environmental impacts.
● Waste Management: Offering effective systems for waste reduction, recycling, and responsible disposal.
● Climate Communication: Utilising sport’s global influence to communicate environmental messages and inspire positive behaviour changes.
● Sport and Sustainability Leadership: Encouraging athletes, clubs, and governing bodies to take a leadership role in climate action.

The Fields of Change handbook has already seen positive impacts, with organisations like Organization Earth in Greece tackling plastic pollution and recycling in refugee camps, and Fútbol con Corazón in Colombia, which is launching a recycling business to repurpose plastic waste.

Adidas has contributed through its Move for the Planet initiative, funding global projects that educate and engage communities on sustainability and enhance sports facilities to withstand extreme weather conditions. This initiative showcases the collective power of the sporting community to drive change, with sport for good organisations uniquely positioned to influence local communities and build a more sustainable future.

Elliot Arthur-Worsop, Football For Future Founder said: “Fields of Change is a significant milestone in the journey toward sustainable sport. For the first time, community sports organisations have a resource that empowers them to protect their communities, support their environment, and lead the way in climate action. Through this handbook, we’re seeing the immense potential of sport to not only inspire but also actively drive change at the very heart of our communities. With support from adidas and in partnership with Common Goal, we’ve created something that goes beyond the pitch – it’s about building a legacy of resilience and sustainability for future generations”.

Jérémy Houssin, Common Goal Sustainability and Environmental Lead said: “Sport is a powerful unifier, and through Fields of Change, we’re mobilising that power to respond to one of humanity’s biggest challenges: climate change. This handbook equips community organisations with the knowledge and practical tools to tackle environmental issues, helping them become local leaders in climate action. We are thrilled to have collaborated with Football For Future and adidas on this project, showing that even small steps, taken together, can spark global momentum. This resource is a testament to what’s possible when we prioritise our planet’s future and work together across all levels of sport”.

The State of Play: Sport and Climate Change
● Global Wildlife Decline: Since Pelé lifted the 1970 FIFA World Cup, there has been on average almost a 70% decline in the populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, with human activities as the leading cause.

● Oceans in Crisis: By the time Coco Gauff is 50 years old in 2054, plastic in the oceans will outweigh fish.

● Sport’s Carbon Footprint: The global annual CO2 equivalent emissions from sport is estimated to be as much as 300 million tonnes – equivalent to the annual emissions of France.

● Olympic Concerns: Without rapid CO2 emission reductions, by the time of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, the world will have likely exceeded the 1.5°C global average temperature rise target of the Paris Agreement, with potentially irreversible climatic consequences.

Despite these challenges, sport holds immense power to drive positive change. The Fields Of Change handbook – the first resource of its kind – offers sport for good organisations the tools and guidance to lead sustainability efforts and create a lasting impact.

visit Football for Future here to learn more and download the guide

It is becoming a universally accepted notion that our food systems are broken. Currently (especially in the west), food production creates a massive negative impact on the environment and has taken us to the verge of global food insecurity. The positive of this newly accepted notion is the opportunities that it allows for tech, data, innovation and new models to  create a healthier food system and a value and power transfer for the planets largest sector. In short there are massive opportunities to achieve a sustainable and healthy transformation of the food system. 

17 Sport’s latest article , “How Sports Lead the Way in Sustainable Food Choices”, explores the growing connection between the sports industry and sustainable food practices. It highlights how sports organizations, from stadiums to athletes, are leveraging their platform to advocate for healthier, eco-friendly food choices. This movement is driven by the realization that food production has a significant environmental impact, and sports entities are uniquely positioned to lead by example due to their large, global audiences.

Key examples include stadiums adopting plant-based menus and reducing food waste through initiatives like composting and redistribution to communities in need. The article also discusses how high-profile athletes are advocating for sustainable diets, using their influence to inspire fans and the general public to make more responsible food choices. These efforts show that the sports world can play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable consumption, given its cultural influence.

By aligning sustainability with the excitement of sports, the article suggests that the industry can drive significant behavioral change. This growing movement underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into every aspect of the sports ecosystem, from corporate responsibility to fan engagement, to create a more environmentally conscious future.

In countries around the world food and technology is becoming an ever increasing partnership for addressing planetary concerns- could football as a truly global game make this a truly unique value proposition which also could have a tremendous impact on communities around the world.

Football clubs have a unique position- when Cristiano Ronaldo says no to a cola and promotes that young people drink water- it gets attention. Could big football clubs, make strategic partnerships with food and technology to deliver another element to sustainability? UEFA recently made news with there first sustainable catering guidelines for food and beverage concessionaries recognizing that their operations can have a significant impact on not only fan experience but fan health and environmental footprint.

The European Football Development Network (EFDN) also has highlighted the importance and impact of food by taking part in the Consumers Understanding of Eating Sustainably (CUES) project.

Food and sports are in many ways inseparable. the young footballer is fueled by the nutrition their diet accounts for as they step on the pitch. Just as a healthy football fan into their later years will depend on their health to be able to follow their favorite team at a ripe old age. Not to mention the edge our favorite athletes get when their diet is orchestrated by a keen maestro with an eye to nature and sustainable processes. In many ways, we in the sports world are natural ambassadors for this food revolution.

Could food be the hook where football and latch onto to make a real and tangible difference in the global goals?

For more details, you can check the original article here.

Read more about the EFDN CUES Project here

UEFA catering guidelines