The funding takes into account how sporting clubs are already feeling the impact of climate change, with the recently released National Climate Risk Assessment noting that more frequent and more intense extreme weather events will impact sport and recreation.

Federal Government unveils funds for community sporting facilities to deliver local action on climate change

It was at Cummins’ junior ground Howell Oval in Penrith back in 2022 that he first launched his Cricket for Climate initiative with Panthers NRL captain Nathan Cleary standing alongside him.

Now three years’ on, Cummins celebrated the fruition of his dream to help fund the future-proofing of community sporting clubs against the impacts of climate on the same patch of turf, before joining Cleary across the road to be a fly on the wall for the Panthers’ bid to propel themselves to a fifth straight NRL premiership.

Test captain Pat Cummins secures $50m climate funding before Panthers leadership visit

Pat Cummins has secured a major win for cricket and all community sport with today’s announcement of Game On, a landmark $50 million Federal Government investment launched at Howell Oval, Penrith.

Pat Cummins and Cricket for Climate spearhead $50m Federal Government funding to future-proof community sport

Pat Cummins and Cricket for Climate spearhead $50m Federal funding to future-proof community sport

Community sport underpins the health and vitality of Australian communities. “Some 14 million Australians are involved in community sport and 66% (Australian Sports Foundation, 2024) of clubs are struggling to make ends meet, while also facing the increasing pressures of extreme weather” says Cummins.

Founded in 2021 at his own grade club in Penrith, Cummins established not-for-profit Cricket for Climate to deliver practical solar and battery projects for cricket clubs nationwide. These projects cut energy costs, improve climate resilience, and redirect financial savings back into grassroots programs, whether that’s equipment, girls’ participation programs, or facility upgrades.

“Sports clubs are the heartbeat of many Australian communities. With extreme weather hitting harder each year, now’s the time to future-proof our clubs with solar, batteries, and all-weather solutions.

“I’m pumped to be back where it all started, announcing a $50 million government investment that will see the work we’ve been leading through Cricket for Climate expand across all community sport.

“I’m really excited to see the support from the Federal Government. It’s going to make a big difference to so many local sporting clubs across the country, meaning more play, fewer cancellations, and stronger communities. Clubs are where so many of us grow up, make mates, and stay active."

Modelled on the Cricket for Climate blueprint, the Game On program will, over the next 4 years, support up to 500 community sport clubs nationwide with upgrades such as:

Solar, batteries, and energy efficiency solutions to slash power bills

Shade, drainage, and infrastructure improvements to withstand extreme weather

Reinvestment of energy savings into grassroots programs and facilities

Flagship clubs — inspiring, zero-emissions community hubs showing what the future of sport can look like.

The Federal Government will invest $50 million over four years to help ensure clubs remain sustainable, resilient, and central to Australian life.

This announcement follows Cummins and Cricket for Climate’s recent meetings with government leaders including the Prime Minister at Parliament House, and the SPORT FOREVER campaign which brought together athletes and sporting bodies across codes with Ministers from all parties to call for investment in climate-ready community sport.

Cricket for Climate CEO, [Joanne Bowen], welcomed the announcement:

"This kind of program is a great example of taking action and shows the great results we get with teamwork, with sports clubs, communities and governments working together. This is just the beginning, and we invite Australian business to get involved.

“This is a turning point for community sport. By acting on clean energy solutions, we’re not only lowering costs for clubs but also protecting the places where Australians connect, play, and grow.

Keep Aussie communities active, healthy, and connected."

Penrith Cricket Club President, Paul Goldsmith, said the investment would be transformational:

“To have this program launched here at Howell Oval is incredibly special. Clubs like ours carry the weight of rising costs and unpredictable weather every season.

“We’ve benefited from what Pat and Cricket for Climate have done for us. This funding means we can focus on what we do best—bringing people together through sport and nurturing the next generation of cricketers.”

Media Release: Pat Cummins and Cricket for Climate spearhead $50m Federal funding to future-proof community sport

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $50 million over four years to help up to 500 sports clubs take climate action with upgrades like better shade and drainage, batteries and energy upgrades to lower bills and climate-proof their facilities.

Local Sports Facilities Target Climate Action

Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins has led a delegation of athletes to Canberra, in a bid to help sporting clubs withstand the effects of climate change.

They're calling on the federal government to establish a 100 million dollar fund over five years to help 1,000 grassroots sporting clubs deal with excessive rainfall and heat.

$100 million call to make struggling sport clubs climate-resilient

100 million call to make struggling sport clubs climate-resilient

Australia's men's Test cricket captain has lobbied Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to contribute to a $100m fund to help sporting clubs withstand the effects of climate change.

Pat Cummins is calling for a financial commitment from the federal government to help sporting clubs deal with the costs to manage climate change. 

Pat Cummins lobbies for $100m fund to help local clubs manage climate change costsz

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is working to protect local sporting clubs. 

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is working to protect local sporting clubs. (

Pat Cummins calls for climate protection for local sports clubs

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.

Call for funding to protect community sports hubs

Australian Test Cricket Captain Pat Cummins and a host of Australian athletes are calling on the Federal Government to stump up $100 million in funding for 1000 community sports clubs to shift to clean energy and all-weather upgrades, with the launch of the Sport Forever campaign at Parliament House in Canberra today.

Aussie Athletes Urge $100M Boost for Sports Hubs

Afternoons with Leith Forrest - Interview with Jo Bowen, Cricket for Climate CEO about SPORT FOREVER - the call for $100million to help 1000 clubs become climate-resilient

Afternoons with Leith Forrest - Interview with Jo Bowen, Cricket for Climate CEO about SPORT FOREVER - the call for $100million for 1000 clubs

Afternoons with Leith Forrest - Interview with Jo Bowen about SPORT FOREVER

Cricket for Climate recently hosted a dinner at Cricket Central to bring together South Asian cricketers, club leaders, and community members on the effects climate change is having on cricket - in South Asia as well as here in Australia. 

L-R: Moksha Watts,  Grace Vegesana, Kara Cummins (Board Members, Cricket for Climate), Kamil Khan (Cricket Australia Multicultural Ambassador), Joanne Bowen (CEO,Cricket for Climate), Chinmay Mehta (Umpire with NSWCUSA, Cricket Writer), Ellie Robinson (Chief Collaboration Officer, Cricket for Climate)

South Asian cricketing communities are geared up to support “Cricket for Climate”

On Sunday, alongside the Chair of Cricket for Climate, Natalie Davey, the Australia captain, Pat Cummins, spoke about his interest in, and care for, the environment. Cummins conveyed his passion and clarity of thought around sustainability and the opportunity the game has in setting new standards.

World Cricket Connects 2025 convenes in London to focus on the growth of the game

Mark Nicholas hailed Pat Cummins as ‘cricket’s foremost representative’ on the world stage ahead of the Australia captain’s appearance at an innovative summit at Lord’s.

Nicholas hails Cummins as cricket's statesman

A six-figure investment from a Pat Cummins-led initiative is set to provide a Premier Cricket club with a major boost.

Man standing in front of cricket grandstand

How Cummins-led climate initiative will benefit Premier club

Athletes now worry that unpredictable weather may affect participation and ultimately the financial viability of sports long-term.

Pat Cummins is given a cold towel by teammate Usman Khawaja during the second Test against Bangladesh in 2017. The captain says the heat was difficult to deal with. 

How Australia’s unpredictable weather is changing sport

Cricket for Climate is making ‘phenomenal’ strides in Australia, and the global game is joining the movement.

Pat Cummins has physically experienced how the climate emergency has changed playing conditions in cricket. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Pat Cummins takes lead on climate crisis as cricketers pitch green plan

The Australian Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and Pat Cummins's Cricket for Climate were nominated for other awards.

Pat Cummins comes off the field on a hot day

Australian initiatives nominated for BBC Green Sports Award

If it rains during this year’s SCG Test it will be the eighth time in nine summers wet weather has had an impact on that match. And, as irritating as the moaning may be the sad fact is that Sydney has had more days lost to wet weather than any international venue. Even more than Manchester.

Paint splatter of an image of the Sydney Cricket Ground

The Benefit of the Doubt

Across the globe, both professional and grassroots clubs are facing the effects of the climate crisis, from soaring heatwaves to heavy rainfall.

 reported on how English cricket was attempting to be more sustainable. One year on, how is cricket across the world responding to the growing climate crisis – and what will some of the biggest roadblocks be along the way?

How is global cricket addressing the climate crisis?

Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket for Climate have collaborated to install solar power at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Brisbane. This will save $50,000 in energy costs in the first year alone while reducing the amount of carbon generated by the facility by approximately 398 tonnes each year.

Based on current energy pricing, this converts close to $1 million in savings over the 20-year lifespan of the project and removing close to 8,000 tonnes of carbon.


The NCC is Australian cricket’s home of world-leading training and playing facilities accessible year-round that allow preparation in a variety of conditions, and can be used by international, national, and state teams, pathway programs and community cricket clubs.


“I’m proud Cricket Australia has partnered with Cricket for Climate as part of a broader ambition to drive positive change across cricket.

“Cricket is a quintessential part of the Australian summer – however, our game is vulnerable to climate change.”

“The partnership with Cricket Australia, State Associations, as well as local cricket clubs and councils is fundamental to achieving meaningful progress.

“We are also fortunate to have incredible industry partners such as Longi, Solis and OSW, who have generously donated 150kW of solar and inverter infrastructure and Solar Choice for their tender management across our projects to date.”

“Through their generous donations, we’ve been able to install solar power to all club projects to date at zero cost to them. We’ve learned much in the initial phase of energy upgrades `across five clubs, and that the engagement from these clubs and their councils has been amazing.

“We are looking to make further impact at scale as we look to plan a second phase of our energy upgrade program. We also want to look beyond solar and batteries for clubs and develop a blueprint for what a sustainable club of the future looks like.

“This partnership with Cricket Australia provides us with real momentum to help us achieve this.”

James Allsopp, CA Executive Manager, Community and Capability joined Australian men’s captain Pat Cummins to launch the installation at the NCC today. 

The system will provide a massive 285kW of power (nearly half of the NCC’s total energy requirements) and was made available through an initial provision of 60kW of solar panels (as well as mounting systems and inverters) through Cricket for Climate, with Cricket Australia investing $226,000 to provide the additional 220kW of capacity.

James Allsopp, CA Executive General Manager, Community and Capability

“We were delighted when Cricket for Climate approached us with an offer to provide the solar power to get the ball rolling on this project.

“We are really pleased Pat (Cummins) has taken a lead on this initiative just as he does on the field. 

Cricket for Climate have already created tangible benefits for some local clubs and its great they have been able to extend this to the NCC through a collaboration with Cricket Australia.”

“Climate change is an issue for cricket, and we are in the initial stages of our journey toward improved sustainability and improving our environmental footprint.

“Projects such as this, alongside the development this year of our Environmental
Sustainability Action Plan that will outline our emissions baseline and our roadmap for reducing them will help us create some real momentum in this area.”

Cricket Australia and Cricket for Climate Drive Change with National Cricket Centre Solar Project

The National Cricket Centre in Queensland has installed a 285kW solar rooftop system as part of a collaboration with Cricket for Climate, launched in 2022 by Australian Test captain Pat Cummins.

Australia cricket captain’s climate concerns lead to big solar installation at cricket centre

Sky Sports UK’s Playing for the Planet meets Pat Cummins

Sky Sports UK’s Playing for the Planet meets Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes

Australian Cricketers Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy have thrown their financial support behind the installation of 40kW of solar and two 13.5kW batteries at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval.

Haynes and Healy today launched the installation of the two systems at the ground as part of the Cricket for Climate initiative, which was launched earlier this year by Australian Men’s Test Captain, Pat Cummins at his home ground at Penrith Cricket Club.

“I’m both excited and proud to be a part of the Cricket for Climate initiative,” said Haynes.

“There’s a great bunch of players who are involved in this, and alongside the generous support from Longi, Sungrow and One Stop Warehouse, it’s a very real and practical way for cricket to reduce its footprint and support more sustainable practices.”

Haynes Australian, New South Wales and Sydney Cricket Club teammate, Alyssa Healy says the installation also has significant benefits for the club.

“I joined the Sydney Cricket Club when I was 14, and it remains the only grade club I’ve ever played for. It has been so important to who I am as a player, so I see this initiative alongside Rachael, as a way of leaving a legacy for the Club,” says Healy.

“Not only does it make the club more sustainable, but will save a significant amount of money spent on power bills, allowing the club to redirect it back into club programs.”

The initiative has also been generously supported by the Canada Bay Council, who contributed $22,600 for the battery installation.

City of Canada Bay General Manager, John Clark says the isntallation is a landmark investment into one of Sydney’s great sporting facilities.

“Drummoyne Oval is a much-loved community sportsfield and we are proud to be collaborating with some of our country’s best athletes and the community to make it a more environmentally friendly facility,” said Clark.

“At the City of Canada Bay, we are pleased to be able to help raise awareness of the benefits of solar power in collaboration with Cricket for Climate.”

The installations at Drummoyne Oval takes the number of clubs involved in the Cricket for Climate initiative to four, alongside Pat Cummins’ contribution at Penrith Cricket Club, Josh Hazlewood at Tamworth Oval and Moises Henriques at St George District Cricket Club.

A further six installations are expected to be completed in the next few months:

Nathan Lyon – Northern District Cricket Club

Steve Smith – Sutherland District Cricket Club

Mitch Marsh – East Freemantle Cricket Club

Dave Warner – Randwick Petersham Cricket Club (Snape Park)

Marnus Labuschange – Cleveland Thornlands Cricket Club (Fitzroy St Oval)

Haynes and Healy drive solar installation at Drummoyne Oval as part of Cricket for Climate initiative

Cricket’s leaders in secret climate change summit

Cricket for Climate Summit - The impacts of climate on cricket

As we head towards the end of the summer sporting calendar, Cricket Australia is facing pressing questions well beyond replacing Justin Langer as coach of the men’s national teams.

The Conversation - Time for a reckoning: Cricket Australia, fossil fuel sponsorship and climate change

It’s a sport known for its iconic baggy green, but now Australia’s top cricketers are determined to make cricket even greener as the impacts of climate change threaten the game’s future.

Energy Matters - Cricket for Climate: Solar Panel Campaign as Global Warming Threatens Game

Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins is spearheading a campaign to have cricket clubs around the nation install solar PV systems in a bid to reduce carbon emissions, declaring it is time for the sport to do its bit to tackle climate change.

PV Magazine - Cricket captain targets climate change with rooftop solar program

Test captain Pat Cummins has mobilised an army of top men's and women's players to fight climate change, starting with the nation's 4,000 local clubs.

Cricket.com.au - Top Aussie cricketers join war on climate change

As cricketers with resources to hand, we have the opportunity to support our sport in making a tangible difference.

The Guardian ​​- The climate crisis is wreaking havoc but sport can be a part of the solution - Pat Cummins

Top Australian cricketers have gone into bat against climate change, setting up a new organisation to reduce the sport's footprint.

The Canberra Times - Top cricketers join war on climate change

Pat Cummins says his latest initiative stems from his experience of looking up to his sporting heroes in his youth.

The Australian - Cummins shows leadership in a challenging climate

Australian men’s cricket captain Pat Cummins has launched a campaign to have cricket clubs around the nation install solar panels to drive down their costs and reduce carbon emissions, declaring that it is time for the sport to do its bit to tackle climate change.

The Age - Australia’s top cricketers make the baggy green even greener

SEN Radio Interview with Pat Cummins on Cricket for Climate

SBS World News speaks with Pat Cummins at the Community Clubs Solar Project launch

Australia’s leading cricketers, including Australian men’s captain Pat Cummins and women's vice-captain Rachael Haynes, have launched an initiative today to have solar panels installed at 15 local cricket clubs – a first step in unlocking the solar potential of the 4,000 clubs across Australia.

Solar Clubs is an initiative of Cricket for Climate, a new organisation inspired by Pat Cummins that is focused on driving tangible change, and tackling some of the broader climate issues facing cricket.

Pat Cummins said the Solar Clubs initiative is good for the environment and local cricket clubs, as the money they save on electricity bills can be reinvested back into resources and player development.

“I’m proud that my local club, the Penrith Cricket Club, was first up and has had solar panels installed through the Cricket for Climate initiative,” Cummins said.

“Climate scientists have warned that cricket will be among the sports hardest hit by global warming, and as players we’ve already experienced the impacts, like worsening extreme heat and having matches affected by or cancelled due to bushfire smoke. This is why we need to see urgent action to reduce emissions, the Solar Clubs initiative does this while also having an added economic benefit.”

Australian women’s cricket vice-captain and batter, Rachael Haynes, said:

“Along with Alyssa Healy, I’m really proud to be part of the formative steps taken by Cricket for Climate to address climate change in a very real and practical way,” Haynes said.

“Alyssa and I will be supporting the Sydney Cricket Club with the installation of solar systems at Drummoyne Oval. We’re both still involved with the club,so to be able to help the club cut their emissions, as well as save them money is something I’m sure we’ll be able to point to years from now as an initiative that made a very real difference.”

Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) CEO Todd Greenberg, said:
“If players, sporting administrators and clubs work towards a common goal to put sustainability at the front of their plans, then Australian cricket has the opportunity to play its role in slowing global warming and mitigating the existential threat that cricket faces,” Mr Greenberg said.


“We’re proud that Pat is leading the charge of our players who know we need to do more to reduce our emissions and mitigate the worst aspects of climate change. Acknowledging this responsibility, the ACA has signed the UN Sport for Climate declaration, and is committed to partnering with our players to support efficient and sustainable projects, such as installing solar panels on cricket clubs across the country.” Penrith Cricket Club President, Paul Goldsmith, said:

“We’re thrilled to be part of this Cricket for Climate Solar Clubs initiative. The annual electricity bill for our club was around $17,000 per year and it’s estimated that, as well as reducing carbon emissions, this new solar system will save us more than $3,000 every year, which can be redirected into much needed resources and future focussed projects, like junior development.”

Solar Clubs is supported by partners including LONGi, Sungrow and One Stop Warehouse, who have generously donated the solar and inverter systems for the first 15 cricket clubs taking part in the initial phase of the program.

“Like all Australian athletes, we try our hardest to punch above our weight on the world stage. And with the incredible natural resources we have on hand we want to do that on climate too. Few countries in the world can match Australia’s extraordinary potential to generate renewable energy like solar and wind power - we think this is a win-win situation for our game and for the environment,” Cummins said.

Hitting climate for six: Australian cricketers launch initiative to get solar on club roofs

Top Australian cricketers have gone in to bat against climate change, setting up a new organisation to reduce the sport's footprint. Test captain Pat Cummins says few sports are more imperilled by global warming and it's time for clubs and cricketers at every level to step up and be part of the solution.

ESPN - Cummins, Smith, Healy form Cricket for Climate group

ABC The Drawing Room Interview with Pat Cummins on Cricket for Climate

Cricket for Climate is leading and building climate resilience for the game and community.

Cricket for Climate is leading and building resilience for the game and community. Additional resources and links for more information.

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