Albion helps celebrate green legacy for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

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2025-07-17T13:00+01:00

Tree Planting Womens WRC2025 12MAR25 PH 0002

In September, Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium will host two matches for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

As part of this exciting event, RWC 2025 have funded a sustainability project at each of the venues being used for the tournament. In collaboration with local partners, Brighton & Hove Albion has launched an exciting tree-planting project aimed at leaving a lasting green legacy in the city.

The initiative saw a tree planted for each of the 16 countries competing in the tournament, with the trees located across different wards in Brighton & Hove. Each team will receive a certificate for their dedicated ‘tournament tree’ as a symbol of their participation in RWC 2025 and the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Partners involved in the project include the countryside charity, CPRE Sussex and Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC). Both organisations bring extensive experience and expertise in tree planting and have been instrumental in ensuring that each tree is planted in the ideal location, with careful consideration of community needs, species suitability, and the characteristics of the planting site.

Representatives from the club, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, BHCC and CPRE Sussex gathered in spring to celebrate the planting of the final tree at Patcham Peace Garden. The ceremony was marked by a speech from the former Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman who highlighted the importance of initiatives like these and their contribution to a greener future for the city.

Members of the Albion, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, BHCC and CPRE Sussex, alongside former Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

He said, “It gives me great pleasure to mark the planting of this tree, one of 16 new trees in streets and public places across Brighton and Hove. Each tree represents one team competing in this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup – and we look forward to welcoming the event to the city this year.

"It is wonderful that this international festival of sport will be leaving behind not only a legacy of sporting inspiration, but a ‘greener’ Brighton and Hove. Street trees are not only beautiful, but important for nature, air pollution, climate change and flooding.”

The tree-planting project comes at a crucial time as tree coverage across Brighton & Hove is significantly lower than the national average. Experts have been calling for increased urban tree planting to address this disparity, especially in light of the challenges posed by Elm disease and Ash dieback, which have further impacted the tree population in Brighton & Hove.

Paul Steedman, Director of CPRE Sussex said, "At a time when we are losing so many trees to disease, this is a real sign of hope and a lasting legacy for the city. Through powerful partnerships like this, we can plant many more street trees to bring a little bit of nature into all our lives, every day."

In addition to the trees that were planted an insect-hotel-making workshop was held in June, furthering the initiative's commitment to sustainability and environmental education.

Tom Harris, sustainability manager at Brighton & Hove Albion said, "We are grateful for the support from the Women’s Rugby World Cup organisers, CPRE Sussex, and Brighton & Hove City Council in making this tree planting initiative possible.

"The connection between nature and sport has never been more important, and we are delighted that this tournament will leave a lasting green legacy in Brighton & Hove for many years to come."