Cardiff Dragon McDonald making change as netball league's first sustainability officer
Cardiff Dragon McDonald making change as netball league's first sustainability officer
Elle McDonald was appointed as the sustainability officer for LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons ahead of the 2025 season
McDonald is believed to be first sustainability officer at a Netball Super League club
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd )
As LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons battle on the court, Elle McDonald is fighting the good fight off it.
The mid-courter works as the Welsh franchise's sustainability officer to help those around her make informed choices and protect the planet. McDonald took on the role ahead of the 2025 season and has been involved across several initiatives.
'I've got a new role at Cardiff Dragons as the sustainability officer, which involves being an advocate among the players and our wider community to really make greener choices,' she said. 'And how we can take steps forward in that sustainability space. I have a background in teaching back at home, so it is quite different for me to have come across this role.
'But at the end of last year, I was speaking to quite a few people within our franchise and they felt really passionately about the sustainability space, and they wanted to come up with a role that would allow a player to really advocate for that. It is something that is important to me, but it should be important to everyone, so I am really proud to step into that space and really try and encourage not only our team, but across the league, all those small changes that can ultimately have a really big impact.'
Dragons were part of history last weekend as they and London Mavericks played the first extra-time period in Netball Super League history. The game ended 55-55 after 60 minutes before Mavericks pulled away to take the game 72-61.
It means the team in green are still searching for their maiden win of the season and face new side Birmingham Panthers for the first time on Friday. For McDonald, her performances on the court are fuelled by the choices she makes off it.
Article continues below
She added: 'As athletes, there are so many of those things that we really value, including obviously our health and wellbeing. Reducing those environmental toxins will make us feel mentally and physically better, but something that we are really focused on is sustainable travel.
'We are encouraging our fans to travel sustainably, whether it is catching public transport, walking, cycling, or carpooling to our events. We want to make sure we are encouraging that. Also, with our food choices, as athletes, that is so important for us and our performance.
'But how can we make sure we are supporting local and organic farms and reducing those transportation emissions. It is just a small thing that we can consider doing that will make a big impact. We've teamed up with Grassboots, which is a preloved sports gear app.
Article continues below
"We are hoping to build on the Cardiff Dragons community so people can sell or buy pre-loved sports equipment to help them get involved in sport, but also chose to donate any money to local charities. That is something we have been working on as well as some litter picks around the city.
'We are trying to make small changes when we can and hopefully influence our fan base and community to do the same.'
Watch Dragons and the stars of NSL 2025 live in action - purchase your club tickets today. For the ultimate showdown, secure your seat at the 2025 Grand Final at The O2, London!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
24 minutes ago
- Wales Online
URC considers shock US expansion as it waits on WRU decision over cutting teams
URC considers shock US expansion as it waits on WRU decision over cutting teams The URC is considering further expansion The United Rugby Championship could look very different in the future (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The United Rugby Championship is considering expanding into the US, with Chicago and Miami potential destinations for two new franchises, WalesOnline has learnt. There is a big push to improve rugby in the US given the fact they are hosting the World Cup in 2031, and the URC could include two American sides in the future. The URC is no stranger to expansion having initially started as a Celtic league before inviting Italian and South African teams into the competition. Georgian outfit Black Lion have also been in negotiations with the URC but the US route is being seriously considered. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Were the URC to allow two US sides into the competition there would have to be a significant financial uplift to its current shareholders, while the cost of travel and player welfare would also have to be taken into consideration. News of the US interest comes as the URC are engaged in ongoing talks with the WRU over how many Welsh teams will participate in the competition going forward. The union is strongly considering cutting down to three or even two professional clubs after serving notice on the current status quo of four equally funded sides. If the WRU does decide to cut teams, a potential expansion into the US could be more attractive to the current URC shareholders. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Article continues below While the quality of the sides competing in the URC cannot be questioned it is often criticised for its excessive travelling, especially since the introduction of teams from South Africa. There is already a professional league in the US called Major League Rugby which was only founded in 2017 with 11 teams in total but it is nowhere near the level required if the US are to compete with tier one nations. 'As the URC, we have always had expansion in DNA," said URC CEO Martin Anayi in a press conference last week. "We have been the Celtic League, and we moved, and we have tried to grow each time. And we have done that. "I think we have genuinely made it a better league. 'I think it is important that we continue to look outwards. But also, the bar is very high because, for every game you add, there is a player welfare issue to engage with. 'And that is something you have to make sure you aren't compromising. "You have logistics, especially when we are transcontinental, and then you have the sporting element, and we want it to be as competitive as ever. 'So I would never say never, but I think the bar is very high to do that. "We play less rugby with the URC model and format. We don't have home and away games in every match. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. 'And it also allows us to not play across international weekends. "We have almost 320 internationals playing in the league, which is almost double what you have in the Premiership or Super Rugby. Article continues below 'If we do expand in the future, it has to be in the right way, and we don't fall into the traps of those who have done it in the past, and it hasn't been successful."
Daily Record
30 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Celtic book medical for striker as Kyogo set for emotional homecoming
The Scottish champions are beginning to motor ahead with the transfer plans Teenage Fulham striker Callum Osmand could become one of Celtic 's first summer signings. Brendan Rodgers is in the market for attacking reinforcements after losing promising starlet Daniel Cummings to West Ham. The Hoops have also yet to sign a replacement for Japanese goal machine Kyogo, who departed the club for Rennes in January. Now, CeltsAreHere reports that the Scottish champions are on the verge of landing rising Welsh star Osmand from Craven Cottage. It's claimed that a medical has already been booked for the 19-year-old who has caught the eye of Parkhead scouts. Osmand - who netted 10 goals in 17 Premier League 2 appearances last season - is out-of-contract at Fulham, meaning the Double-winners will be able to land him for a modest cross-border compensation fee. Barring any medical hitches, the talented goalscorer is expected to join Celtic's senior squad for pre-season, giving Rodgers a chance to take a closer look. Meanwhile, former Celtic idol Kyogo is back on holiday in his homeland and is set for an emotional return to former club Vissel Kobe. Kyogo has endured a miserable spell in France since his shock £10million winter move to Rennes, failing to score in six appearances. He's found himself bombed out under new boss Habib Beye and has already been deemed surplus to requirements by the Ligue 1 club. That's led to inevitable rumours of a quick-fire return to Glasgow, but it's unlikely Rodgers will sanction a return for the fans' favourite. Bournemouth have also been linked with his services, but for now, Kyogo will make an appearance in familiar territory this weekend. It's been announced that the 30-year-old will be in the stands for Vissel Kobe vs Nagoya Grampus on Sunday and will greet the fans in a special half-time bow at the Noevir Stadium Kobe. Elsewhere, reports in Greece suggest that Greg Taylor's switch to PAOK is far from a done deal. Multiple stories on Monday suggested that Taylor had agreed a two-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months to join the Greek outfit. Taylor is currently a free agent after talks over a new deal at Celtic Park hit the skids. The Scotland international, 27, is holidaying in Dubai with his family and SDNA claims PAOK are no further forward in their pursuit of the left-back, with talks said to be "frozen".
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Hundreds of Wales fans bring Brussels street to a standstill in stunning moment
Hundreds of Wales fans bring Brussels street to a standstill in stunning moment Footage captures fans gathered together belting out Dafydd Iwan's Yma o Hyd Wales fans bring Brussels street to standstill Hundreds of Wales fans have been captured gathered in Brussels city centre preparing for the nation's World Cup qualifier against Belgium in true patriotic fashion. A video clip shows supporters dressed in replica shirts and bucket hats, with some bare chested, gather together as Dafydd Iwan's Yma o Hyd plays in the background. Fans can also be seen at balcony level of a bar, O'Reillys, facing towards fellow supporters outside, all belting out words to the popular Welsh football anthem in unison. The footage, outside Brussels Stock Exchange, resembles something akin to a fan zone, as flags and beers are lifted aloft. Sign up to the Don't Take Me Home newsletter here . Spirits are high among members of the Red Wall, as they fully embrace the atmosphere of what, prior to the all important match itself, looks to be an epic away day for fans. Wales are currently top of group J in the group stage of the World Cup qualifiers, with seven points, after two wins and a draw from their first three fixtures. Article continues below On Friday, Wales beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to a 39th minute opener from Joe Rodon, followed by goals from Harry Wilson in the 65th minute, and Kieffer Moore three minutes later. Belgium, meanwhile, slipped up away against North Macedonia, being held to a 1-1 draw. They are currently 4th in the group with just one point, but have played two games less than Wales. The game between Belgium and Wales kicks off at 7.45pm at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels. Article continues below The match is being shown live on BBC1 Wales, BBC Three, S4C, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
