As part of our ongoing sustainability commitment, Gloucester Rugby have teamed up with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) to install three rain gardens at Kingsholm Stadium.

A rain garden is designed to capture rain water flowing off roofs and slow the flow of the water back into drains and eventually watercourses. They can come in several different formats; usually either a shallow depression or a raised planter.

Rain gardens help to reduce flooding by storing rain water and filtering it – helping to reduce pollution entering rivers and improve water quality. They also create wildlife-friendly features in gardens and urban areas, attracting insects like moths and beetles, as well as small mammals.

The rain gardens will be maintained by participants of the Gloucester Rugby Foundation programmes, including HITZ students and members of the Veterans group.

Alex Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Gloucester Rugby said,

“We are determined to champion sustainability at Gloucester Rugby, so partnering with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust was a no-brainer. We know that we have a responsibility to help sustain the game, and set an example to our supporters, partners and clubs through our actions. The rain gardens not only provide a valuable and attractive green space for wildlife in the stadium, but also ensure that we are playing our part to help reduce flooding in the city.”

The rain gardens at Kingsholm Stadium join others installed by the GWT team and local communities at Abbeydale Community Centre, Matson Baptist Church and the Friendship Café in Barton, as well as those created as part of the building redevelopments at Robinswood Hill in 2021.

Holly Turner, Engagement Projects Officer at GWT said,

“Extensive areas of sealed surfaces, like tarmac, cause problems in heavy rainfall, with drains often becoming overwhelmed. When this happens localised flooding can occur, damaging property and blocking streets.

“The run-off can also wash pollutants down drains, damaging the health of our waterways and the plants and animals that live there. Thankfully, rain gardens are a fantastic solution to help tackle these issues.

“Working with Gloucester Rugby to create the rain gardens at Kingsholm Stadium will help to reach a large audience, and spread the word about the ways people can tackle local flooding, improve water quality in our county and make room for wildlife in their local communities.”

With generous backing from the Environment Agency, and enthusiastic advocates like Gloucester Rugby, GWT hope to support the creation and improvement of healthy, functional watercourses for people and wildlife in the city and wider county.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust will be at Kingsholm Stadium for the match against Worcester Warriors this Friday 25 March, chatting to spectators about the importance of rain gardens and answering any questions.

To find out more about rain gardens, including how to create one at home, visit gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/rain-gardens.

Rugby & Rain Gardens: A match made in the sustainability game!

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