S2:E14. What Does it Mean to Wear the Shirt?

Emergency on Planet Sport

Australia may be a nation playing catch up in the sport/sustainability space but recent events suggest its moving rapidly in the right direction, led by athletes! Amy Steel and Emma Pocock join Jonathan and Melissa on Episode 14 to discuss playing for pride and purpose; including Donnell Wallam and the whole Australia Diamonds Netball Team, Amy's former colleagues, standing firm against an uncomfortable sponsorship and Cricket skipper Pat Cummins refusing to appear in ads for the main backer of Cricket Australia, a company which subsequently announced it wouldn't continue with the partnership. Also on the pod we hear from Melbourne City goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, talking about the increased demands of the younger generations and the actions they want to translate as normal behaviour. Jonathan also gets the chance to quiz the Chief Executive of Origin Energy, Frank Calabria, one of the big sponsors in Australian sport.

1.30 Our first guest is Amy Steel, former Australia Netball International. Amy's still effected on a daily basis by the severe heat illness which wrecked her sporting career.

2.20. Amy gives us the background to the recent stand-off between the Australian Diamonds and sponsor Hancock Prospecting (with Netball Australia in the middle).

4.00 Jonathan explains the controversial history of the Netball Australia sponsors.

5.00. Amy tells us how Donnell Wallam bravely raised concerns with the Players Association and then Netball Australia about the deal.

08.00. Melissa's been listening in and offers her commentary on the Donnell Wallam story; praising the bravery of the individual and the solidarity of the team.

10.30. Melissa and Amy discuss the idea of "staying in your lane" as an athlete; what that actually means and how effective athletes can be in using their voices.

13.30. Jonathan outlines what some may feel is a conflict; the netball partnership with an energy company; Origin. It's a chance for us to explore whether partnerships with fossil fuel providers can have upsides; depending on the track record and ambition of the company involved.

14.00. We hear from Origin Chief Executive, Frank Calabria. He was speaking on an Origin webinar, first broadcast in October. Used with permission.

19.00 Amy gives her assessment of Origin and Frank's comments. Are the netball players comfortable with wearing the Origin logo?

22.10 We get a great perspective on the issue of partnerships with purpose from soccer legend Melissa Barbieri, the Melbourne City goalkeeper and Australia international.

23.45 Our next guest joins the pod; CEO of Frontrunners, Emma Pocock, almost two years since she and husband David kicked off series one!

26.00. Emma talks about the action that has helped drive cricket's transition towards a solar future and mentions the leadership of the PFA on climate action.

29.00. More from Melissa Barbieri on the demands of the younger generations at Melbourne City. "Some things are actually more important to us", she says.

31.00. Emma Pocock reacts to Melissa's comments and says increased expectation of clubs is mirrored across the work she does with Frontrunners.

34.30. Jonathan's interested to learn more about Pat Cummins' stance in a sport with fossil fuel sponsors. Emma discusses the delicate balance which needs to be struck.

40.00. Melissa says scrutiny is so important, such as in the British Cycling deal with Shell.

41.30. Emma says athletes rarely want to expose themselves to commenting in public. Those who do are so courageous, says Emma.