S2:E2. The Impact of an Impact League

Sail GP are making waves with their global sailing series, not least with their innovative "Impact League".  Fiona Morgan, Tom Verity and Isabella Bertold join the pod to explain how sport can lead on incentivising athletes and setting a purpose from the beginning.   On this second series, we're visiting a lot of clubs, venues and organisations who got in touch after series one.  We're nice guys, we've got legs and microphones!   The mission is to give a voice to projects making a positive difference in the sport and sustainability space, especially those showing creative thinking and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.  The more we can share ideas and talk through challenges, the more we can push together with better collective prospects! That's the plan, anyway...    So where better to start than with our friends at Sail GP.  This global series featuring F50 Catamarans may only be three years old but it's making serious waves.  Not least because of the innovative "Impact League" which pits teams against each other in a sustainability sense.  And here's the key thing; it isn't just for show or pride at the end of the race weekend, the Impact League challenges everyone in the sport to do better.  Real change, real results. We love the concept and want to hear how other sports could implement a similar scheme.  Email us [email protected] or follow @planetsportpod on socials!    Time Codes: 01:15   Melissa sets up the episode; we win and lose now, both in a sporting and environmental context. 02:15  Jonathan arrives in Plymouth and meets Fiona Morgan, Director of Impact and Purpose at Sail GP at the Harbourside. 03:30  Fiona introduces us to Sail GP; "the most exciting racing on water; powered by the wind and the sun"  06:00  The Impact League was launched in Plymouth in 2021.  Athletes are rates for sustainability; "redefining performance" says Fiona. 08:00  The incentives include cash donations to purpose partners and also benefits over race weekend which could impact on end-result performance. 09:30  Fiona says she wants to share learnings and help another sport take on the concept.  She talks about how the Impact League can be developed. 11:30  Jonathan and Melissa take stock of what they've heard and consider how the Impact League could be used by other sports. 16:00  Team Canada's Isabella Bertold talks about how competitive the Impact League is among the sailors. Competitive, but inspirational. 18:00  In a surprise twist, Isabella reveals how scientists are trying to teach a mushroom to eat the Clysar plastic which covers the boats.  19:30  Isabella talks about her dual-life as a pro cyclist.  She's passionate about helping cycling make progress on sustainability but says it's "miles behind". 22:30  Isabella's cycling between St Tropez in France to Cadiz in Spain; about 1200km.  (Note: She has successfully completed the ride since this episode was recorded). 24.20  Jonathan and Melissa take stock again.  Melissa is inspired by the magic mushroom... 26:45  We meet Tom Verity; On-Water Transition Manager to talk about the "surround sound" of sport, something Sail GP is working hard on. 28:30  The marine industry is lagging behind in the transition to cleaner power solutions.  Tom discusses the challenges. 29:45  Tom's passionate about being honest about the challenges. 30:30  Fiona Morgan's back to expand on the challenges but look for the opportunities. "Get on board now!" she says. 32:30  Jonathan and Melissa wrap up by assessing what they've heard.  Individual impact versus Bigger Picture.