Athletes and the AIS pitch in to Clean up Australia

04 March 2022

Olympians, Paralympians and 2022 Commonwealth Games prospects will partner with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for Clean Up Australia Day activities this Sunday, 6 March 2022.

Athletes from eight sports will join local communities and thousands of volunteers around the country who are taking positive action for the environment.

Clean Up Australia Day (cleanup.org.au) is the largest community-based environmental event and a highlight for athletes involved in the AIS’s Community Partnerships Program.

With some Clean Up activities impacted along the east coast due to the weather, Aussie athletes will be working with their local communities to be part of any rescheduled activities or holding their own clean up event.

AIS Acting CEO Matti Clements said the environment was a key factor in allowing people to enjoy sport and Australia’s athletes were always keen to contribute to their communities as part of activities such as Clean Up Australia Day.

“Every year athletes put their hand up to support community projects and initiatives they are passionate about, with our Aussie athletes eager to contribute to the local communities that always support them,” Clements said.

“The AIS Community Partnerships Program works with National Sporting Organisations and our sporting partners so that we can link athletes with community events that make a real difference.

“Our athletes train and compete in outdoor environments and so it’s in everyone’s best interests to protect our parks, bushland, waterways and the ocean. I want to thank the athletes and their sports, which this year includes Athletics, Hockey, Boxing, Diving, Sailing, Water Polo, Lawn Bowls and Paddle. Protecting the environment is something so many athletes are passionate about and we are pleased to give them an opportunity to take positive action and support their local communities.”

Javelin thrower Mackenzie Little, who made her Olympic debut last year in Tokyo, is once again stepping up to support Clean Up Australia Day, after she saw first-hand the impact her involvement could have in helping local communities.

“I got involved in Clean Up Australia Day last year and it was phenomenal. What can sometimes be a really overwhelming issue [the environment] and you often don’t know how you can make a difference, Clean Up Australia Day I feel is a really practical way people can get involved.

“Last year I helped through a community group at Homebush, which is the area I had spent most of my athletics career. But then when we explored other areas of the community and you saw first-hand just how much waste there was, particularly the number of masks… it was quite shocking.

“I would encourage other people to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day because it can be really easy to do with friends or family, you can make it part of your weekend and do it at places you’d normally be visiting anyway, like the beach or local parks. It’s a fun way you can make a difference, because unfortunately, you can always find rubbish at the place you enjoy outdoors,” said Little.

Clean Up Australia Chair Pip Kiernan welcomed the participation of Australian high performance athletes.

“Australian athletes are great role models and we applaud their commitment to support our message and provide practical and direct support of community action. We all need to step up and make a commitment to protecting our environment and living more sustainably every day.

“Clean Up Australia Day is an opportunity for all Australians to connect, come together and do something meaningful.

“Involvement this year is particularly important as our habits changed as we’ve lived with COVID and we haven’t always been kind to the environment. Surges in online shopping, meal delivery services and the use of disposable face masks and coffee cups mean the environment is feeling the after-effects of the pandemic in ways not seen before.”

Athletes involved

• Rhiannon Clarke - Para-athletics
• Rhydian Cowley - Athletics
• Claire Colwill - Hockey
• Claire Durston - Water Polo
• Luke Elliott - Sailing
• Kristy Harris - Boxing
• Sam Fricker - Diving
• Mackenzie Little - Athletics
• Kaye Scott - Boxing
• Samatha Schmidt - Para-athletics
• Bowls Australia High Performance Program
• Paddle Australia High Performance Sprint Canoe Program