Reclink Calls for Christmas Donations

Reclink Australia’s Sports Share Christmas Drive is calling on Victorians to donate new or good-quality sporting equipment, with the Werribee Sports Share Warehouse at 2–9 Gerves Drive accepting items until 15 December.

The main drop-off day took place on 29 November, but the drive remains open so residents can continue passing on gear that still has life left in it.

This appeal comes at a time when countless homes across the state have a football, cricket bat or pair of boots tucked away in a cupboard, unused and forgotten.

With cost-of-living pressures making sport harder for families, Reclink is urging people to share equipment that could help someone who otherwise couldn’t afford the basics.

The call gained momentum after visits to local sports facilities revealed valuable equipment being cut up or thrown into skip bins.

Seeing basketballs slashed apart or footballs destined for landfill struck a nerve when those same items could bring joy, connection and confidence to someone doing it tough.

Sporting equipment represents possibility, and if it can still be used, it shouldn’t end up in the bin. The drive also comes as more families look for affordable ways to get young people active again.

With screen time dominating daily routines, many parents are eager for simple opportunities that pull kids back into parks, courts and backyards.

Reclink says this is the right moment to get essential gear into the hands of households that need it most.

Support continues to build from the AFL community, with North Melbourne forward Nick Larkey and Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh backing the initiative.

Both recently attended Reclink’s Footy Best and Fairest awards and are helping spotlight the difference a single donated item can make.

Their involvement reflects the heart of the program: people with a platform supporting community members doing it tough.

Reclink’s national network of social service partners ensures every donated item goes directly to residents who will benefit most.

Workers embedded in some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged suburbs understand where the need is and deliver gear to people rebuilding routines, facing hardship or seeking a path back into community participation.

Sports Share is more than a reuse program. It is an environmental effort, a community health initiative and a social inclusion project. Every donation keeps waste out of landfill, promotes physical activity and strengthens social connection.

New items are welcomed, but quality pre-loved gear is equally valuable.

Residents who can’t get to the warehouse before 15 December are encouraged to contact Reclink Australia via Facebook to arrange an alternative drop-off.

In a year where many are feeling the strain, passing on usable equipment is a simple way to lift the spirits of people who need it most.