Haverfordwest County AFC have completed the first phase in our transformative journey to become the first JD Cymru Premier club to achieve B-Corp certification.
The process, which rigorously measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact, encompasses factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices, carbon footprint, and diversity and inclusion.
By submitting our initial assessment, we have ticked off phase one, and will undergo a formal evaluation next year. This pioneering move reflects our commitment to making a positive impact, both socially and environmentally, within our community.
The club has made big strides when it comes to our community and social programmes in recent years, with the partnerships we have established including Sporting Memories, which supports elderly members of the community, and Fit and Fed, which provides fun football and meals for young community members during school holidays.
We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by improving energy efficiency, waste management practices, and assessing greenhouse gas emissions, and we are dedicated to demonstrating our commitment to the community and the environment by striving for B-Corp certification.
To achieve certification, an organisation must:
– Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and passing a risk review.
– Make a legal commitment by changing corporate governance structures to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and achieve benefit corporation status if available in their jurisdiction.
– Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance to be publicly available on their B-Corp profile on B Lab’s website.
Why are Haverfordwest County pursuing B-Corp?
The stated aims of B-Corp align perfectly with our core values. By committing to this journey, we will help to build trust with our stakeholders while holding the club accountable in a variety of ways.
The process of seeking certification has prompted a thorough review of internal and external processes and policies, which will ultimately help to make us a more resilient organisation.
As we pursue B-Corp certification, we continue to exemplify the values of excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability that are at the core of our mission.
“Our vision is to set a new standard for football clubs in the Cymru Premier, one that places community, sustainability, and positive impact at the forefront of our operations. Pursuing B-Corp certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to these values.
“We want to inspire not only our fellow football clubs, but also our supporters and community members to believe in the power of sports to drive positive change. This journey marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are eager to lead the way towards a more responsible and sustainable future in football.”
Rob Edwards, Chairman, Haverfordwest County AFC
For media inquiries, please contact Tom Pritchard on t.pritchard@hcafc1899.football
For more information on B-Corp certification, please visit their website.
