Calgary,
06
October
2025
|
10:05
America/Denver

Mayor proclaims Oct. 6, 2025 as Green Sports Day

Calgary’s Mayor, Jyoti Gondek, has proclaimed Oct. 6 2025, as Green Sports Day. This proclamation recognizes a partnership between The City of Calgary, Sport Calgary, the Calgary Flames Sports Bank and community partners, joining a growing national movement that recognizes the power of sport to build stronger, healthier and more sustainable communities. 

Green Sports Day Canada was created to: 

  • Spark conversations about how sports can be part of the solution to climate change.
  • Share ideas and simple actions to help teams, families, and organizations play in more sustainable ways.
  • Shine a light on the amazing work already happening in Calgary and across Canada to make sports greener and more accessible. 

Here in Calgary, Green Sports Day activities have already commenced with Sport Calgary hosting two used sports equipment drives during their All Sport One Day event in June 2025. In addition, the Calgary Flames Sports Bank has attended 17 Community Cleanup events to collect sport equipment donations and promote program funding opportunities through KidSport. They’ve also attended four Calgary Housing Company (CHC) Family BBQ events, where they connected with residents, offering kids the chance to take home sports equipment and receive information on accessing program funding from KidSport. 

“Every child deserves the chance to play. By donating or swapping sports equipment, Calgarians are not just keeping gear out of landfills, they’re making sure more kids can join a team, stay active and feel the joy of sport,” said Jennifer Lawlor, Partnership Consultant with The City of Calgary. 

To date, more than 3,000 pieces of equipment have been collected, with more than 65 per cent of equipment finding a new home. This initiative not only increases accessibility to sports for all kids but helps to reduce the impact on our environment.  

“Sport Calgary is proud to support the Mayor’s Proclamation for Green Sports Day. This is a National Day of Celebration where sports and sustainability come together. We hope to help inspire change and educate Calgarians on how together we can help build a sustainable future for sport,” said Catriona Le May Doan, CEO of Sport Calgary. “Sport Calgary was excited to support two equipment drives in 2025 and we look forward to more initiatives like this in the future.  Let’s learn how we can each make a difference in our community and help with big change!” 

The City, along with its partners, is encouraging Calgarians to donate equipment to the Calgary Flames Sports Bank, who have nine collection locations across Calgary. Calgarians can also apply for equipment through the Calgary Flames Sports Bank, and keep an eye on upcoming events and sports drives to donate and access equipment.  

“The Calgary Flames Sports Bank is incredibly proud to be a part of Green Sports Day. As the cost of sport participation and equipment continues to increase, it is a no-brainer to work with everyday Calgarians to collect their gently used sports equipment and find new homes for it with children from equity deserving families and circumstances,” shared Brody Norton, Operations Manager with the Calgary Flames Sports Bank.  “So far in 2025, we have been able to redistribute over 15,000 pieces of sports equipment to over 3,300 children throughout Calgary and surrounding communities! We would like to thank Calgarians for their generosity and participation in this great program by thinking green about their sports equipment and helping thousands of kids gain access to the sports they love!”  

Green Sport Day aligns with The City’s GamePLAN strategy, a long-term vision for public recreation in Calgary. 

“Through initiatives like GamePLAN, we’re working to level the playing field to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in sport, regardless of background or circumstance,” said Heather Johnson, Director of Recreation & Social Programs at The City of Calgary. “By encouraging equipment reuse, Green Sports Day helps reduce barriers and makes sport more accessible for all. It’s about creating a Calgary where every child can play, thrive and feel like they belong.” 

The Mayor’s proclamation of Green Sports Day in Calgary builds on momentum from 2024, when five provinces and seventeen municipalities across Canada recognized October 6 as Green Sports Day, encouraging residents to take part in community-driven activities that highlight the intersection of sport and sustainability. 

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