NEWS ARCHIVE
College Sport Goes Fairtrade
Cornwall College's Sports department is proving it's got balls...by pledging to only purchase Fairtrade sports equipment.
In support of the College’s ongoing drive towards gaining Fairtrade status, the Sports department first purchased Fairtrade footballs, volleyballs and rugby balls with funding from local food producer Ginsters for the cross-college Beach Olympics in May, which saw students competing from the seven campus sites around the county.
After a successful trial, Cornwall College’s Corporate Head of Sport, Russell Lawrance, agreed to purchase only Fairtrade equipment where possible.
Russell said: “I believe education is about giving people the opportunity for social mobility to take more control over their own destiny; my understanding of Fairtrade is that it does exactly the same thing.
"We are a multi-site organisation and I have encouraged all the sports staff on each site to see if we can support the Corporation's application for Fairtrade status. If successful I feel this will increase our own learner and staff awareness and responsibility and may even help them to question their own purchasing activities. I am delighted that the Sports team have been able to do this. I fully endorse this application not only with words but with actions."
Cornwall College Students’ Union (CCSU) has been supporting Fairtrade in recent years with the help of the Corporation Board, management, staff and students. The College gets actively involved in Fairtrade Fortnight each year with a number of activities promoting the plight of farmers in developing countries. Fairtrade goods have become more prominent in the College’s cafes and students and staff now have a wider understanding of the importance of Fairtrade produce.
Toni Pearce, President of CCSU, said: “The Union has been campaigning to highlight the importance of Fairtrade for several years, working with both students and staff to express their desire for a greater availability of Fairtade goods throughout the College. Cornwall College is in the process of applying for Fairtrade status, a kite-mark that will display our dedication to helping end global poverty. This status is only awarded following a rigorous application process, displaying the support of the majority of the College population. To date, CCSU has collected over 3,000 signatures on a petition supporting Fairtrade produce at Cornwall College, showing a real desire to make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate throughout the world.
“With the combined efforts of members of the Corporation Board, College Management and Students’ Union, we will continue to push for more evidence of our commitment to Fairtrade, a great example of which is the commitment by the Sports department to purchasing Fairtrade equipment.”
Cornwall College is supporting Fairtrade on all of its campuses in Camborne, Newquay, Saltash and St Austell as well as Duchy College in Stoke Climsland and Rosewarne and Falmouth Marine School.
Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College, said: “As an organisation we are committed to supporting global initiatives to aid the development of better working conditions for people worldwide. I commend the work of all involved in promoting Fairtrade across Cornwall College with the aim of gaining Fairtrade status.”
