Bushfire crisis: Sporting stars and events commit to raising funds

Sam Stosur is one of a host of sporting stars determined to do all they can to raise funds for those left devastated by the bushfire crisis.

Sam Stosur speaks to media about her decision to donate money towards the bushfire relief effort. Picture: AAP

As an avid camper who has hiked through parts of Australia currently being ravaged by bushfires, Sam Stosur is determined to do all she can to raise funds for those left devastated by the crisis.

The 2011 US Open champion was among athletes around the country who are backing their own excellence to assist the fundraising efforts under way across Australia.

“When you know these areas — I have been there camping a couple of times — and remember going to the seafood shop and buying what you want for dinner and going to the supermarket and you meet the locals … it is such a beautiful part of the world,” said Stosur.

“To see the devastation happening there is just so sad, for them, obviously for the fireys, the animals, anyone who has been affected.

“It is going to take a long time for things to regenerate and come back.

“When you have been there and experienced it, it definitely gives me that little bit extra desire and want to try to help out and do something.”

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A plea issued initially by Nick Kyrgios on social media has grown into a groundswell that has extended to other sports as the crisis continues to have implications away from the devastated regions.

An international-level tennis tournament scheduled to begin on Monday was relocated 600km from Canberra to Bendigo due to the toxic air in the nation’s capital, while the women’s basketball league cancelled a WNBL match between the Capitals and Perth Lynx that was due to be played at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Tennis ACT chief executive Kim Kachel said conditions were not expected to improve in time to host the tournament, which had drawn players ranked inside the top 100, in Canberra.

Emerging Italian star Jannick Sinner, who claimed the ATP Next Gen Championships last November, flew from Canberra to Brisbane to practise before heading back to Victoria.

“Unfortunately, the best advice from the weather and fire experts is that the conditions over the next few days mean it is unlikely there would be any play,” Kachel said.

Discussions were also held prior to the A-League match between Melbourne City and Western United at AAMI Park as the smoke haze returned to Melbourne.

Cricket Australia is monitoring the air quality in Sydney as the Test against New Zealand continues at the SCG. Tennis Australia is similarly alert with the ATP Cup finals to be held in Sydney, which is also hosting round-robin stages of the 24-nation event, while the Australian Open begins in Melbourne in a fortnight.

Kyrgios and other Australian players including Stosur have pledged to donate a sum of money for every ace they strike throughout the Australian summer of ­tennis.

The ATP Cup organisers pledged $100 for every ace hit during the tournament, and American John Isner started strongly by striking 33 aces despite losing to Norway’s Casper Ruud in Perth on Friday.

After beating Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in his opening match on Friday night, including 20 aces, Kyrgios said that friends of his had travelled to the New South Wales south coast from the Australian capital and found themselves “trapped for a couple of days and right in the midst of it”.

“I just thought it would be a good initiative, and then the traction it got, just seeing my hometown almost being on the alert and having, like, just the worst air quality in the world literally at the moment. It’s just sad to see … it’s just tough,” he said.

“It’s tough to go out there and concentrate on tennis, to be honest. Every ace I was hitting, that’s all I was thinking about. Every time I stepped up to the line, that’s all I was thinking about.

“It’s humbling at the same time, you know. But I’m glad that the tennis world is taking the initiative and we have set up a night, a Wednesday next week. And hopefully we can do whatever we can.

“But it doesn’t make it any better for me at the moment. It’s tough.”

Cricketer Chris Lynn is among those who have pledged money for hitting sixes in the Big Bash League. Champion jockey Tommy Berry and several other thoroughbred industry participants have pledged riding fees and winning percentages.

Star basketballer LaMelo Ball, who is tipped to be the No 1 draft pick in the NBA Draft, will give one month’s salary.

“My parents taught me to help out wherever I can, so this is my way of helping out,” the American, who currently plays for Illawarra Hawks, said.

Sporting organisations are also arranging activities.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley announced the organisation will hold a Rally for Relief at Melbourne Park next Wednesday leading into the Australian Open.

Previous rallies for disasters including the Queensland floods in 2011 have raised in excess of $1m and an all-star cast is expected to attend a charity exhibition on Rod Laver Arena.

“It is heartbreaking to see the devastation the bushfires are wreaking across the country and to see so many people and communities suffering,” Tiley said.

“We are working closely with the top players and have already had a great response, with many of them keen to help this incredibly important cause.”

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the league was working on a co-ordinated response with clubs, state bodies and corporate partners and will announce further details soon.