A major investment in grassroots sport by the Australian Government has been announced through the launch of its Game On: Teaming Up for Climate Action (Game On) program.
The program will support up to five hundred Australian community sporting clubs by delivering $50 million over four years to assist them in taking practical climate action.
Clubs will be able to access this funding for upgrades such as solar panels, battery storage, improved shade and drainage, and energy efficient systems.
The aim of the enhancements is to reduce clubs’ energy consumption while improving resilience to weather conditions, and to keep facilities safe and usable, even as extreme weather intensifies.
Across Australia, more than 14 million people use community sport facilities.
Game On has two main aims: to assist clubs in saving funds so they can invest in essentials such as programs and equipment, and from that, to strengthen the role of sport within local communities.
This initiative complements current government programs such as the Community Energy Upgrades Fund, a $100 million grant program that provides local governments matched funding to assist in payments for energy upgrades, aligning it with the government’s broader climate and energy goals.
Game On was inspired by initiatives such as Cricket for Climate, a player-led movement created to address climate change issues for the sport.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon. Chris Bowen MP, said Australians have always been inspired to tackle big challenges to community sport.
“Taking action on climate is no different.
“We need a Team Australia moment, with everyone part of acting and adapting on climate and energy to help meet these challenges head on.”
Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport, the Hon. Anika Wells MP, believes that for so many Australians community sport is an important place to gather.
“Sport has the power to bring about change across so many facets of our lives, and this investment by the Albanese Government helps clubs upgrade their facilities by taking practical action on climate change,” she said.
