Holding court
Sporting greats assembled on a floating tennis court to shine the spotlight on the plastic problem and launch Adidas’ sustainable collaboration Made With Parley Ocean Plastic.
Photography by Adidas
13 January 2022
Advertisement
A week out from the Australian Open and floating roughly 10 kilometres off the coast above the world’s largest coral reef system, a barge that regularly travels through the Great Barrier Reef for important environmental marine construction and dive projects was transformed into a floating tennis court.
Ian Thorpe, Jess Fox, Nathan Cleary and Steph Claire Smith hit out on the floating court, promoting the adidas tennis apparel range Made With Parley Ocean Plastic, which will make its debut at the Australian Open in Melbourne starting 17 January 2022.
Adidas ambassador Ian Thorpe said he is proud to partner with the Adidas family and that the new range ensures that more Aussies are talking about eco-innovative solutions to one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
“The design of the new Adidas Tennis range Made With Parley Ocean Plastic, is inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, so it was appropriately launched in the stunning heritage-protected Queensland marine park today to raise awareness and positive discussion around how we can help End Plastic Waste,” the swimming legend said.
Advertisement
“Plastic is a problem that has reached unfathomable proportions: Unless we change course, there will be more plastic waste in the sea than fish by 2050. This waste is destroying the oceans.”
Adidas worked with GBRMPA (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority) and one of the authority’s approved tug and barge operators to transform the top surface of a working barge into a tennis court surface.
Adidas Pacific Senior Director of Brand, Shannon Morgan said, “At adidas we believe through sport we have the power to change lives. We live this purpose everyday by looking at all possibilities to include and unite people in sport to help create a more sustainable world.
“We need to continue to implement sustainable solutions now, so that we can help create a new era of sport for future generations. We’re committed to help end plastic waste and, by 2024, we’ll eliminate virgin polyester in our products completely and use recycled polyester wherever possible.
“To achieve these goals, we foster open-source partnerships and put a high value on collaboration over competition to create sustainable solutions that go beyond our own business and influence,” he added.
The Adidas tennis court surface will be fully recycled into a sports court, donated to a local Townsville school, paving the way for school kids to unite through sport and play a part in creating a more sustainable world.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Champers on the house
