The Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) hosted its inaugural #SEASummit event on the 8th of November at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Sport and community leaders came from around the globe, sharing ideas and discussing how the future of sport is undeniably linked to the environment.
Keynote speaker Joost Bakker, sustainability warrior and lead zero waste advisor for the Lexus Marquee in the Bird Cage, Melbourne Cup, set the scene for the forum, highlighting the importance of sustainable infrastructure. Bakker praised the work of the sporting industry and added,
"Don't ever think an idea is so small it won't make a difference. It just takes time.”
Peter Wearne (GM Facilities, Melbourne Cricket Club), Richard Griffiths (COO, GWS Giants), James Reid (Senior Manager Flemington Event Operations, Victoria Racing Club), Cnr Kim Le Cerf (Lead of the Low Carbon Future team, City of Melbourne), formed the first #SEAChanger panel, each giving an insight into how their respective organisations work to provide positive environmental change. Other speakers of note included Peter Clinton, CEO Cricket Wellington and Andrew Monk, Chairman Enervest Pty Ltd.
Facilitated by Australian sports presenter, Tiffany Cherry, SEA Ambassadors Michael Sheahan, renowned Australian Sports Journalist and Alice Hammond, Australian Gliders Wheelchair Basketball player discussed their involvement in the movement as #SEAAmbassadors.
The summit included behind-the-scenes eco-tours of the MCG, the MCG watertreatment plant (under Yarra Park), and Margaret Court Arena. One delegatecommented that the tours,
“Increased knowledge, with potential to implement some sustainability initiatives into community sport.” Many delegates agreed with these sentiments.
The inaugural #SEAChangeSolutions Award was won by the Melbourne Cricket Club(MCC). The Award celebrated the MCC’s leadership within the sporting industry in their efforts to minimise their environmental impact.Credit: Sports Environment Alliance
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