Bradford City’s ‘Greener Bantams’ leading tree-planting initiative

Bradford City have planted 154 trees – one for each goal scored by the men’s and women’s teams last season – as part of their Greener Bantams initiative.

The trees, supplied for free by the Woodland Trust charity, were planted at the club’s training ground at Woodhouse Grove School.

“It’s a simple way to hopefully inspire others with their relationship with the environment,” Adam Keizer, the club’s sustainability lead, told BBC Sport.

“We want to plant a tree for ever goal scored this season and have started with last season’s tally. It’s a bit of fun but more goals, more trees, so everyone wins.”

The Bantams, chasing promotion from League One, are the first EFL club to get involved in the initiative involving first-team players from the men’s and women’s team, academy players and pupils from Woodhouse Grove.

The Woodland Trust, which has planted 68.5m trees since being formed in 1972, is at the heart of the project, providing free trees to schools, sporting clubs and other community-led organisations.

“Lots of studies suggest that we’re healthier and happier when around trees,” said the Woodland Trust’s Jon Martin.

“Trees help prevent flooding, provide shelter and shade and there are lots of training grounds where there is land with space for trees and all the benefits they bring.

“Breaking it down to something practical and fun feels tangible because anyone can plant a tree.”