ABOUT
FOOTY FOR CLIMATE
In 2021 the AFL Players’ Association supported Footy for Climate to survey nearly 700 AFL and AFLW players and we found that 92% are concerned about climate change.
More than 260 players signed up to support Footy for Climate and we now have more than 40 player leaders around the country.
Footy for Climate was founded by two AFL players, Tom Campbell (Melbourne FC, St Kilda, North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs) and Jasper Pittard (North Melbourne and Port Adelaide) in the wake of the 2020 Black Summer bushfires.
Tom and Jasper were North Melbourne teammates when their training was forced indoors due to hazardous air quality caused by those fires. This led to a conversation about climate change and the role AFL and AFLW players can play in supporting the communities being impacted by extreme weather caused by climate change.
We are Australia’s most respected climate advocacy organisation for players and fans of the Australian Football League.
OUR
VISION
To have positive climate action as an embedded part of AFL culture, actively protecting the future of the game through our members, our partners and the wider football community.
OUR
MISSION
Leverage the profile and influence of AFL and AFLW players to shine a light on climate change and inspire the football community to take positive action.
Meet our playersIn October 2021 we officially launched as a registered non for profit under our foundational name AFL Players for Climate Action. We galvanised a passionate group of past and present mens and womens players to produce a video announcing publicly that AFL players care deeply about protecting the future of our game and our planet for future generations.
Since then we have engaged with various local footy clubs and members of the broader footy community across the country, and realised they care deeply about the future of the game and planet as well. This was the catalyst for changing our name officially to Footy for Climate.
And meet our team
Alexi Lynch
CEO
With over two decades of experience in sustainability and climate change, Lex co-founded the Environmental Jobs Network, expanding it across Australia and New Zealand to support environmental job-seekers.
He managed ICLEI Oceania’s Cities for Climate Protection campaign, engaging over 230 councils representing 84% of Australia’s population. From 2009 to 2024, he led strategic projects on energy efficiency and climate action at Ironbark Sustainability.
In October 2024, Lex became CEO of Footy for Climate, leading its growth into a professional organisation driving climate leadership in Australian rules football.
Tom Campbell
CO-FOUNDER
Tom is an experienced AFL player with 14 years at Melbourne, St Kilda, North Melbourne, and the Western Bulldogs.
He is passionate about safeguarding the future of the sport through climate action. As a co-founder of Footy for Climate, Tom supports AFL and AFLW players in reducing emissions, sharing personal climate stories, and driving climate action across clubs and fan communities.
He also holds a Bachelor of Business (Management & Innovation) from Victoria University.
What started as a collaboration between passionate teammates is now transforming into a professional organisation capable of supporting Australian Rules Football to be a climate leader.
From here we are lifting our ambition. We will deliver more programs to support and educate AFL and AFLW players to empower them to be leaders in the community. We will tell powerful stories of people protecting grassroots clubs and the communities they serve.
We will build a membership of passionate fans, who along with players, clubs and the AFL can all play their role in protecting the future of our game. And we will show that renewable energy is good for footy, good for communities, and good for our climate.
Footy for Climate is a nationally registered charity and is endorsed as a tax deductible gift recipient. Our charitable purpose is the protection and enhancement of the natural environment and the provision of information and education about the natural environment, particularly in relation to climate change.
Our core team of staff and Board work remotely and are spread across Australia. Additional information on our governance and charitable status can be found here.