A Swimmable Birrarung |Yarra. How can sport dive in?

Sport is in the DNA of Melbournians, as fans and participants. Whether it’s weekend footy or netball, rowing, triathlons, tennis or waterpolo, it knits much of our cultural identity together as a city. 

The way we currently live is impacting the places we play, the interconnected urban spaces, parklands and stadiums, the bay, the rivers, courts and ovals. We rely on these spaces to be accessible, healthy and available week to week, year to year. 

Join us for a conversation about how we, as influential sport organisations, can work together as a force for the regeneration of our interconnected waterways and city so that sport can thrive in healthier places of play, on a healthy planet, for generations to come. 

We’ll be discussing sports dependencies and impact on nature and the river. The stories of sports connection to the river and we will explore the  opportunity we have to work together on a wildly ambitious initiative - making the Birrarung | Yarra River swimmable again. Over coffee and breakfast we’ll find out about the  activities underway and how the sports industry can become a new player in the transformation of our main waterway in Melbourne. 

The Swimmable Birrarung initiative is hosted by Regen Melbourne, in partnership with Regeneration Projects, Yarra River Keepers Association, Swinburne University, Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Yarra Pools. 

Green Planet Sport is a regenerative sports agency, connecting the sports industry to opportunities to actively and authentically act for nature and a better climate future.

IMAGE: Jim Courier jumping in the Yarra after winning the Australian Open in 1993. CREDIT:STUART HANNAGAN