Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Australia’s Test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, has urged the federal government to set up a $100 million relief fund to help grassroots sports clubs manage rising climate-related costs.
At a summit in Parliament House Canberra, Cummins, backed by his Cricket for Climate initiative, called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Minister Chris Bowen to provide the funding over five years. The goal of this initiative is to support 1,000 community clubs grappling with extreme weather, high energy bills, and escalating maintenance demands.
Pat Cummins proposes for $100 million fund in battling climate change: What will it cover?
The proposed funds would cover installation of solar panels and battery systems, upgraded drainage to handle heavier rainfall, and shade infrastructure and lighting to enable training during cooler hours and prevent heat-related disruptions
The initiative aims to cut annual expenses for clubs by $2,000 to $10,000, helping them stay operational and resilient in a volatile environment. Cummins emphasised that losing local clubs would cost Australia more than sport itself they are the heartbeat of communities and incubators of future talent.
“If we don’t look after them, we lose more than just sport,” Cummins said, as quoted by ABC News.
“Community sporting clubs are the heartbeat of Australia. I’ve got so much to thank my community at Penrith growing up, not only taught me cricket but also it’s where I spent all my weekends, weekdays, it’s where I made so many close relations.
“It’s getting harder and harder, not only with extreme weather events, flooding recently, droughts throughout the summer, which makes running community sport harder, but also rising costs.
“Part of this initiative is to try and reduce the cost burden on a lot of those clubs to make sure community clubs can keep happening.
“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.”
Cricket for Climate reports it has already helped clubs install over 400 kW of solar power, saving more than $1 million in energy costs. Success stories include a club in Victoria now earning $10,000 a year from solar.
Climate pressures are already impacting sport: half of the IPL’s 65 matches this year were played under hazardous heat conditions. In recent months, extreme rain in states like NSW and Queensland has disrupted local games, forcing cancellations and postponements.
Players like AFLW star Nicola Barr, who trained amid bushfire ash during the 2019-20 “Black Summer,” reinforced the urgency.
Cummins and his campaign aren’t suggesting charity, they’re advocating for practical investment to make community sport future-ready, energy-efficient, and inclusive.
