Forest Green Rovers Transforms Changing Room into Plant-Filled Oasis
The environmentally conscious football club installs over 60 houseplants to reduce player stress, continuing its tradition of unconventional, eco-friendly practices.
Forest Green Rovers, a football club known for its unique and environmentally focused approach, has revamped its changing room to resemble a botanical haven, filling the space with more than 60 houseplants. This initiative aims to enhance the mental well-being of players by reducing stress in a high-pressure environment.
The club, often described as the world's most 'woke' team, has partnered with the Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland and a sports psychologist for this project. According to the club's statement, the presence of houseplants can noticeably lower stress levels and promote a sense of calm, with 30% of Britons reporting such benefits.
Dr. Josephine Perry, a sports psychologist, commented that living greenery acts as a natural buffer, reducing nervous system arousal and improving cognitive abilities, which can lead to better performance. She added that incorporating plants into high-pressure spaces is a simple and accessible habit for managing stress.
This re-design coincides with International Stress Awareness Week. The club's owner, Dale Vince, an environmentalist and renewable energy tycoon, has been a driving force behind the club's unconventional practices. Vince also mentioned in a video that the club is pursuing legal action against Peterborough and former manager Robbie Savage for alleged tapping up, seeking £2 million, which was the buyout clause.
Forest Green Rovers has a history of implementing eco-friendly policies. Their kits are made from recycled, sustainable materials and are certified vegan. The team's canteen exclusively serves vegan food, and players are provided with vegan meals for away matches. The club's pitch is maintained without chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and is cut using solar-powered mowers. Plans are also underway to construct a new stadium from timber, designed to have the lowest carbon footprint in world football. The club also encourages cycling to matches and provides electric charging points at the ground.
Despite its progressive environmental stance, the club faced criticism earlier this year for discontinuing its women's team. Forest Green Rovers is currently in its third consecutive season in the fifth tier of English football, having been relegated from League One in 2024, ending a seven-year stint in the English Football League.