Gaels Go Green

Aim

Help Enniskillen Gaels cut carbon and build a climate-resilient youth pitch with a solar-powered robotic mower and renewable battery storage

Who are we?

At Enniskillen Gaels GAA Club, we are proud to be a growing and inclusive community hub, supporting hundreds of young people every week. But as a club rooted in the heart of Enniskillen, we also recognise that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our community today. From rising energy costs to increasingly unpredictable weather, local sports facilities are being directly affected — making it harder and more expensive to maintain safe, playable spaces for children and young people.

That’s why our project is designed not just to build a youth pitch, but to help protect our community from the impacts of climate change by dramatically reducing carbon emissions, improving our energy efficiency, and strengthening long-term environmental resilience. Maintaining pitches traditionally depends on petrol-powered machinery and high-energy lighting, both of which contribute to greenhouse gases and rising operational costs.

By installing an electric robotic mower powered entirely through on-site solar battery storage, we will eliminate the need for petrol-based equipment and cut our emissions year after year. The solar battery system (2 × 10 kWh Soluna HV units) will store clean, renewable energy generated by our existing solar panels so it can directly power the mower and support our LED floodlights — creating a low-carbon, energy-efficient training facility that is future-proofed against rising fuel prices and climate-related disruptions.

This investment will not only reduce our carbon footprint, it will make our youth pitch more resilient, more cost-effective, and more sustainable for generations of young players. With Aviva’s support, we can show how a community sports club can lead the way locally in climate action while giving children a safe, healthy, environmentally responsible place to play and grow.

Why are we crowdfunding?

Over the past year, we’ve been working tirelessly to deliver a new youth training pitch at Brewster Park. Thanks to our members, volunteers, and community, we’ve already completed 90% of the work, including a newly laid grass pitch, fencing, modern LED floodlights, and stop nets.

The pitch is due to open in March 2026, but to cross the finish line we need your help with the final stage:

• Installing a robotic mower system powered by renewable energy, reducing fuel use, emissions, and noise while keeping the pitch in top condition.
• Purchasing Solar Batteries to complement our recent solar panel installation (2 x 10 kWh Soluna HV batteries)

These final pieces will ensure the facility is safe, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable, ready to serve generations of young players and families.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We are aiming to raise £28,000 to complete and green our youth pitch project. Here’s how your support will help:

• Robotic mower system (solar-powered, zero emissions) – approx. £18,000
• Solar Panel Battery Storage (2 x 10 kWh Soluna HV batteries) - approx £10,000

Every pound raised will go directly towards finishing and greening our youth pitch. With support from the Aviva Community Fund, your donation will go even further, helping us create a safe, sustainable facility that benefits our entire community.

Community impact

This project is about more than football, it’s about creating a greener, healthier, and more sustainable community space.

• Environmental impact: By combining solar panels, LED lighting, and an electric robotic mower powered by solar batteries, we will dramatically cut emissions, eliminate petrol use, and reduce long-term energy consumption. The project supports biodiversity-friendly maintenance, lowers noise pollution, and creates a model for sustainable sports facilities in our region.
• Youth development: Over 600 children and teenagers will train on a cleaner, safer, and more resilient pitch that remains usable all year. They will learn and play in an environment that reflects strong environmental values and responsible energy use.
• Community wellbeing: By creating a well-lit, low-carbon, and environmentally responsible space, we encourage people of all ages to be active and connected. The reduced running costs and greener infrastructure will protect the club’s future for generations.

How you can play your part

There are three simple ways to help us reach our target and make this project a reality:

Make a pledge – Every donation takes us closer to opening our new, sustainable youth pitch.

Spread the word – Share our story on social media and tell your friends and family.

Offer rewards – Local businesses can donate items or vouchers for our supporters, we’ll give you a big shout-out!

Together, we can open our new eco-friendly youth pitch in March 2026, giving Enniskillen’s children a safe place to play, train, and thrive while showing how community sport can lead the way in going green.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made