By Ken Reed
Last summer I wrote about a cool, progressive sports organization called Bohemian FC, a Dublin-based football team that plays in the highest tier in Ireland.
The Bohemians are a member-owned club that makes addressing various social causes a high priority. They even have a climate justice officer on board in an effort to help tackle the climate crisis.
The club recently announced they’ve created a jersey in honor of reggae legend Bob Marley to commemorate the Rastafarian icon’s last ever outdoor concert, which was held in the Bohemians’ stadium, Dalymont Park, on July 6, 1980.
Club officers say 10% of all profits from the shirt will go to purchasing sporting and musical equipment for people currently in asylum centers in Ireland. Past club initiatives have included attacking homelessness in Ireland, providing activities for seniors, programming for prisoners, and campaigns for marriage equality.
Marley died on May 11, 1981, but his family and representatives were totally on board with the idea.
The club said some of Marley’s most famous lyrics are a good fit for a cause of this type: “Live for yourself and you will live in vein, live for others, you will live again.”
The Bohemians focus on positive social change has resulted in a big boost in club membership, from between 450 and 500 people in 2017 to more than 2,000 today.
Chief Operating Officer Dan Lambert says the public’s desire for community in an increasingly commercialized society is a big reason for the club’s growth.
“We can’t guarantee what will happen on the pitch but we can guarantee how we act off it,” said Lambert.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Books
