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This initiative, which began in the UK, is now active in Australia and New Zealand. It brings together the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), A-League clubs, and sustainability partners including KitAid Australia, the Salvation Army, and Unwanted FC. The goal is to collect unused or old sports gear and give it to people who need it, both locally and overseas.
Fans attending matches hosted by Melbourne City FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Brisbane Roar, Western United, and Canberra United will see Salvation Army volunteers collecting pre-loved kits at stadiums this weekend.
Behind the scenes, A-League players have also been taking part. Donation bins were set up in locker rooms and shared spaces throughout March and April, allowing players to give away unused gear. These items will be delivered to communities across Australia, the Indo-Pacific, and Africa.
David Walker, who leads KitAid Australia from Toowoomba, said these donations make a real difference.
“These kits from players and clubs will help more kids play football — not just here in Australia, but in the Indo-Pacific and Africa. The impact is real for each person who receives them,” Walker said.
Matildas and Everton midfielder Clare Wheeler, who is also a KitAid ambassador, stressed the importance of sustainability in football.
“At the end of every season, we have leftover kit. Rather than let it end up in landfill, we can give it to someone who really needs it,” she said. “As a football industry, we need to take more responsibility for our environmental impact.”
To help spread the word, Salvos Stores have launched a national treasure hunt. Across Australia, fans may find A-League, Matildas, and Socceroos jerseys signed by players hidden in regular store racks.
Sarah Oakley, Acting Senior Manager of Circular Economy at Salvos, says the campaign highlights an urgent issue.
“Each year, over 200,000 tonnes of textiles are dumped into Australian landfills. That’s material that could be reused, recycled, or reworn,” Oakley said. “At Salvos Stores, we divert millions of items each month to support both the environment and Salvation Army programs.”
The campaign also includes support from Unwanted FC, an Australian group that helps players give unused gear a second life. Founded by brothers Kevin and Keith Chan, the group has worked with footballers like Juan Mata, Michelle Heyman, Alex Chidiac, and Andrew Redmayne to repurpose old gear into new items.
Juan Mata, who had an old Manchester United jersey turned into a wash bag, praised the movement.
“In England, we used to get two new kits every game. Add boots and shin guards — it all adds up. What Unwanted FC and the PFA are doing is truly amazing,” he said.
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