GREAT AUSSIE ATHLETE BBQ LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE TO SUPPORT AUSTRALIA’S NEXT GENERATION OF SPORTING STARS
The Great Aussie Athlete BBQ officially launches this week, calling on Australians across the country — and around the world — to fire up the BBQ, talk sport, and throw in a donation to support athletes chasing the green and gold.
Running over the next few months, the Great Aussie Athlete BBQ is a national and global fundraising movement powered by backyards, workplaces, sports clubs, pubs and community groups, all coming together around one of Australia’s most loved traditions — the BBQ.
The campaign supports the Aussie Athlete Fund, which provides critical financial assistance to emerging athletes to help cover the rising costs of training, travel, equipment and competition.
Australians can get involved by registering as a BBQ Captain, with two simple options available:
- Backyard BBQ Kit – $99, including a unique Green and Gold apron, BBQ tongs and spatula plus fundraising materials.
- Business BBQ Kit – $999, designed for workplaces and corporate teams looking to rally staff and clients for a great cause.
BBQ kits are purchased online and delivered direct to your door here.
All proceeds raised through the campaign go directly to the Aussie Athlete Fund to help build a more sustainable athlete economy in Australia.
Despite proudly representing the country, many athletes face significant financial hardship. Research shows, 46 per cent of athletes who represent Australia live below the poverty line, earning less than $23,000 per year, while 50 per cent have considered leaving their sport due to the costs associated with high-performance competition.
Five-time Olympian Nat Cook OAM OLY said the BBQ campaign was about bringing the nation together behind its athletes.
“It’s so important for all Australians to get behind our up-and-coming athletes,” Cook said.
“What better way to do that than firing up the BBQ with mates? I’m delighted with the early interest in this campaign and can’t wait to see Aussies all over the country wearing their Green and Gold aprons in support of our athletes.”
The campaign has already attracted strong support from partners including Weber and YETI, with more collaborations to be announced.
The first BBQ will be hosted by partner organisation, the Committee for Brisbane.
CEO of the Committee for Brisbane, Jen Williams, said: “With the 2032 Games focusing on community legacy projects- including a new Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane Arena and National Aquatic Centre- Brisbane is on track to host the best, most memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“However, what we can’t forget is the athletes who are at the centre of the Games.
“Australia is known for the strength of its athletic movement, and with the opportunity to compete at a home Games, it will be more important than ever to support our local athletes to focus on the goal ahead.
“The Committee for Brisbane is delighted to support the Aussie Athlete Fund, and the support of the community will be critical in ensuring our athletes secure the funding they need to represent our country.”
A series of marquee BBQ events will also headline the campaign calendar, including:
- The first official Great Aussie Athlete BBQ at Post Office Square on 29 January, hosted by the Committee for Brisbane
- Planet Fitness BBQ Nights on 2 February, with gyms across the country hosting events alongside Aussie Athlete Fund athletes
- Planned large-scale BBQ and sport festival activity at Sirromet Winery in March
- An exclusive and premium Great Aussie Gala BBQ, featuring a celebrity chef (to be announced)
- The lawns of Australian Parliament House, Canberra is scheduled for a BBQ to support this campaign
- BBQ activations already locked in across all parts the country, including businesses, building sites, pubs, sports clubs and community venues nationwide.
Through the #PassTheTongs hashtag, BBQ hosts are encouraged to nominate the next BBQ Captain, creating a chain of BBQs supporting Aussie athletes across the country.
If you’ve cheered on an Aussie Athlete in the past and want to continue seeing the next generation of stars light up the world stage, then organisers are encouraging Australians to host their own BBQ, whether in the backyard, at the local club, in the park or at work and help keep the movement growing. Guests of any BBQ are encouraged to donate via the BBQ donation page.
The Great Aussie Athlete BBQ aims to become an annual national tradition through Summer, celebrating sport, mateship and community while creating lasting impact for athletes striving to represent Australia on the world stage.
With a limited run of official BBQ Kits available, organisers say demand has been strong from day one.
Australians keen to be part of the inaugural Great Aussie Athlete BBQ are encouraged to register early before kits sell out.
A challenge is set to raise $250,000 in donations across this campaign.
GREAT AUSSIE ATHLETE BBQ full details, here
BBQ DONATION PAGE full details, here
