Pat Cummins and Cricket for Climate spearhead $50m Federal funding to future-proof community sport
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.
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:
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.
“This funding will help to;
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.”
ENDS