County Derry sports clubs receive trees from SuperValu

SuperValu stores in the Northwest have helped two community sports clubs by sponsoring the planting of native trees to enhance the clubs’ grounds.

The Kevin Lynch Hurling Club in Dungiven received 175 trees, while Ardmore Cricket Club has planted 325 trees including alder, oak, Scots pine, hawthorn and rowan species, both to establish woodland borders around the pitches and grounds, bringing a host of environmental benefits, including absorbing carbon and encouraging wildlife to the areas.

The sporting groups have received the trees through a partnership between the retail brands Supervalu and Centra – part of Musgrave NI – and Trees on the Land – a charity and not-for-profit project from the Green Economy Foundation. The project which launched in 2022, saw 15,000 native trees planted across 50 locations across Northern Ireland in three years, while this year a further 5,000 have been planted in 20 locations.

Colleagues from SuperValu and Centra stores across Northern Ireland have also supported the initiative by pulling on their wellies and visiting many of the tree planting locations.

Enda Kealey, Kevin Lynch Hurling club committee member said: “Our site has a walking and heritage path around the pitches, which is used by many members of the community. Thanks to these native woodland trees from Trees on the Land and SuperValu, we can plant on the hill behind the pitch and create a hedgerow border to provide shelter for people walking.  It will also create a more biodiverse environment and show the community about the types of local species of trees and plants we have.”

SuperValu Dungiven store manager Ryan Kealey added: “At SuperValu we believe every local action makes a global impact and we’re very proud to help the community and sponsor these trees at our local hurling club. The group is clearly committed to developing the site into an even better amenity for the local community and we look forward to seeing the trees mature over the years.”

Commenting on the trees Ardmore Cricket Club received, Chairman Dermot Ward said: “The trees have been planted as a boundary around our grounds, to create a natural shelter belt and bring more character, and importantly, enhance biodiversity in the area. On behalf of the club and members, I’d like to thank SuperValu and Trees on the Land for supporting the project.”

ABOVE: SuperValu Woodburn store manager Neal Cooke (left) visits Ardmore Cricket Club which received 300 native trees, sponsored by SuperValu. He is joined by club chairman Dermot Ward. 

Neal Cooke, store manager of SuperValu Woodburn said: “This is an excellent facility for the community and we’re very pleased to be able to provide these trees which will provide shelter and bring lasting benefits including absorbing carbon and increasing wildlife in the area.”