Call for funding to protect community sports hubs

Australian athletes have asked the federal government for $100 million in funding for 1000 community sports clubs to shift to clean energy and all-weather upgrades.

With 66% of Australia’s community sport clubs finding it difficult to make ends meet, the athletes’ Sport Forever campaign is seeking $100 million over five years to protect clubs of all codes from the threats of rising costs and climate change.

Cricket for Climate founder and Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins said, “Local clubs are where it all starts. It’s where kids fall in love with the game and communities like the one I grew up in come together. If we don’t look after them, we lose more than just sport. This is about giving clubs a fair go so they can keep the lights on, keep people playing and be part of the shift to cleaner, cheaper energy.”

The $100 million investment is planned to fund solar and battery systems and EV charging stations, helping community clubs reduce emissions and save on energy bills. It will also fund improved water drainage, to avoid games being waterlogged and cancelled, disrupting tournaments. It will also be used for shade solutions to protect players and spectators, as well as lighting upgrades to create the flexibility for clubs to train and play at cooler times of day.

Cricket for Climate CEO Joanne Bowen said, “Sports clubs are where people find belonging — whether you’re five or 50, that’s where you connect, stay active and make lifelong friends.

“Right now, too many clubs are under pressure. Sport Forever is about giving them a hand so they can keep running, save money on bills, and make sure extreme weather doesn’t shut them down. When people see those changes happening at their local club, they get behind it too.”

Joining Cricket for Climate at the launch were leading Australian athletes, including St Kilda Saints AFLW player Nicola Barr.

“Speaking to teammates and other athletes, there’s an increasing feeling we need greater action to ensure kids and future generations have the same opportunities to fall in love with sport that we all did. Initiatives like Sport Forever have a huge role to play in ensuring Australian sport continues to thrive,” Barr said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Anjuman Sharma