Children have revealed their dream “stadium of the future” – including drones delivering refreshments, and light-up balls. Former Scotland and Gloucester player, Rory Lawson, and current Scotland woman’s international, Coreen Grant, listened as kids enthused about seeing water slides to get around stadiums – as the country gets plenty of rain, anyway.
It comes after a poll of 500 children, aged six to 10, found talking robots which serve drinks, and slides to help you get around the arena quicker, also featured on the list of things they’d most want to see.
Others are eager to have ice-cream machines in every stand (34 percent), and milkshake fountains (22 percent).
But it also emerged that 69 percent want grounds to be environmentally friendly – with solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and re-used rainwater as standard.
The results of the study, by OnePoll, were released as Scottish Gas team up with Scottish Rugby to tackle carbon emissions, with plans to decarbonise Scottish Gas Murrayfield – and create a stadium fit for the future.
The partnership is also providing rugby clubs across Scotland with access to funding to make sustainable improvements to clubhouses, reduce their carbon footprint, and save on energy bills.
Former Scottish Rugby star, Rory Lawson, who chatted to children about the topic during a tour of Scottish Gas Murrayfield, said: “I really enjoyed hearing all the creative ideas from the kids on what stadiums could look like.
“I’m not sure if we’ll see robot waiters and glow-in the dark balls any time soon, but it’s brilliant that they think sustainability should play such a major role in the future of this fantastic ground.”
Other future tech kids would like to see introduced include stadiums that can morph their shape for different sports (22 percent). And one in three (32 percent) would be interested in seats offering virtual reality, so people can feel like they’re on the pitch.
It also emerged 63 percent of the children questioned, via OnePoll, want to learn more about how sports and stadiums can be more environmentally friendly.
It comes as eight in 10 youngsters claim they try to do things in their everyday life which have a positive impact on the environment.
And while 77 percent wish they could do more to help the planet, 65 percent already make sure they’re on top of their recycling, and 59 percent take care never to litter.
More than half (57 percent) have their own refillable water bottle, and 54 percent make sure to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth.
Exactly six in 10 children have been taken to a stadium to watch a sporting match in real life – and of those who haven’t, 35 percent would be up for watching a game of rugby in the future.
However, 36 percent of all the youngsters polled say they would be more likely to want to go watch a live rugby match, if the stadium was up to scratch from an eco-standpoint.
Rory Lawson added: “Sport has an amazing power to influence society and inspire positive change – so, by teaming up with Scottish Gas to make one of the world’s most iconic stadiums more sustainable, we’re teaching young people how important it is to preserve the environment.
“Whether it’s minimising waste, embracing sustainable materials, or reducing our carbon footprint, we can set an example now, and help achieve a greener future.”
