Sports Environment Alliance and YMCA Victoria announce new partnership project

September 8, 2021

Aiming to engage the YMCA Victoria community in identifying environmental strengths, gaps and opportunities, while also looking to build a sustainable path towards a future, the Y in Victoria has joined the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA).

Committed to keeping people connected every day through their gyms, pools, early learning centres, and camps, Y Victoria acknowledges the importance of protecting the environment, and is committed to building a thriving, prosperous, safe, and sustainable organisation.

The Y believes in empowering young people to voice their opinions and concerns on issues important to them. Climate action and protecting the environment are two important issues they care about, and the Y wants to help them shape their future.

Explaining that by engaging in this partnership project with SEA, the Y is able to further embed and integrate environmental sustainability into their values and the work that they do,

Alexandra Ash, Executive General Manager of Recreation at YMCA Victoria stated “the Y is committed to minimising our environmental impact and advocating for healthier environments, through leadership and development opportunities, stakeholder education, and ground-level operation.”

SEA Chief Executive, Dr Sheila Nguyen advised that this exciting partnership project between SEA and the Y is bound for success, noting “we are honoured to be on this journey with the Y - the largest operator of sport and leisure facilities in Australia, operating in Victoria, South Australia, NSW, and Queensland along with National programs such as Action Sports.

“We are passionate about engaging communities in SEA’s ideas, values, and vision to protect our clean future through present action. The project partnership with Y Victoria is very much reflective of this key sentiment.”

SEA has also welcomed the Thornbury Turf Strokers Cricket Club (TTSCC) into its membership.

Established in 2009 TTSCC competes in the Mercantile Cricket Association, with their home ground being the picturesque Corben Oval, located in Melbourne’s Yarra Bend Park.

Commenting on the Club’s commitment to sustainability, TTSCC President Patrick Hargreaves explained that it has already seen many of the effects of climate change during its 10-year history.

Hargreaves advised “unpredictable weather changes have washed out games unseasonably. We've had to manage heat stroke for our players when temperatures reach 40°C.

“Cricket is dependent on the environment like no other sport - a turf wicket is sacred and needs to be protected at all costs.”

TTSCC is committed to working on many initiatives such as fostering a strong recycling culture and banning single use plastic cups.

Hargreaves added “Parks Victoria are also currently redeveloping our rooms and we are consulting with them to ensure the re-development considers green power sources and incorporates the natural environment to ensure trees aren't cut down.”

Image courtesy of YMCA Victoria.

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