From local Aussie clubs to Glasgow, an innovative new partnership will unite millions of people in community sport with our Australian Commonwealth Games Team on the world stage.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) have joined forces to champion Play Well, Australia’s national sport participation strategy, in the leadup and at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Centred on the message that “everyone has a place in sport,” Play Well branding will be on select competition and delegation uniforms of the Australian Team in Glasgow across the 10 days of action.
Students taking part in the ASC’s flagship Sporting Schools program will also benefit, learning about the Commonwealth Games and the benefits of being involved in sport in a fun and engaging environment in collaboration with CGA’s education program Borobi’s Classroom, opens in a new tab.
The collaboration begins on 2 June, with school visits including Glasgow 2026 athletes in each Australian state or territory planned in the lead up to and post Glasgow 2026.
ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said this partnership highlights sport as a place of lifelong connection and belonging.
“For the millions of Australians who will watch their Commonwealth Games Team do Australia proud, seeing Play Well is a reminder that from the local parks, pools and courts of their community to the global stage, everyone has a place in sport,” Perkins said.
“Sport belongs to everyone, regardless of where they live or what their background is. Every single athlete on this team started somewhere local, and they are the living proof that when you create safe, welcoming, fun and inclusive environments for people to just get involved, you lay the foundation for greatness.
“Thank you to the Commonwealth Games Australia team for using their incredible platform to inspire Australians to Play Well.”
CGA CEO Craig Phillips AM welcomed the partnership and noted that even Australia’s best athletes had their start in a participation based environment.
“The Games may be a pinnacle event based on performance, but for every athlete that pathway to compete for Australia began at a local sporting club through participation,” Phillips said.
“We’re proud to work alongside the Australian Sports Commission to ensure every Australian feels that they have a place in sport, whether that’s getting active and participating, volunteering, officiating, coaching or pursuing a high performance pathway.
“The inclusion of the Play Well logo is but the start of the conversation. We will work closely with the Play Well team to tell stories about the benefits of being involved, taking the inspiration of the Games to those thinking about getting started.”
For boxer Emma-Sue Greentree, finding her place in sport has led to competing at the Commonwealth Games for the first time.
“I’ve been a sport junkie my whole, playing rugby, competing in athletics and now headed to the Commonwealth Games as a boxer,” Greentree said.
“It took me time to find my place in the ring, but every opportunity to participate was one that I relished and I want that experience for those getting started. It’s about having fun, improving in yourself and potentially going on to compete for your country.”
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) campus in Canberra will also host the King’s Baton for a month from 1 June, giving visitors a rare chance to see the Baton firsthand as part of the 500-day journey through all 74 Commonwealth nations.
For the first time ever, every participating nation has their own unique Baton, with Australia’s designed by Indigenous artist Chern’ee Sutton set to join the other 73 Batons to feature at the Games Opening Ceremony on 23 July.