Manly will host the Australian qualifying round of a global rubbish collection competition, with participants competing for the chance to represent the country in Japan.
Beach Clean-Up Event Set for Late August
Manly Beach will again serve as the venue for the SPOGOMI 2025 Australia Tournament, taking place on Saturday, 30 August. The event invites teams to collect litter competitively, aiming to win a place at the SPOGOMI World Cup in Tokyo later this year. Thirty teams of three will compete for points based on the quantity and type of rubbish collected within a designated time and area.
Origin and Purpose of SPOGOMI
SPOGOMI, short for “Sport Gomihiroi,” originated in Japan in 2008 and translates to “sport of rubbish picking.” The concept turns litter collection into a structured competition, with referees monitoring teams during a timed clean-up session. Points are awarded based on specific criteria, and the top-scoring team will qualify for the international finals.
Environmental Focus
The tournament aims to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution. Around 80 percent of marine litter is reported to come from cities, with Australian waterways receiving over a tonne of plastic waste every five minutes. Statistics show that Australia generates 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with only 12 percent recycled. A significant portion—up to 130,000 tonnes—reaches oceans and waterways each year.
Manly’s Role in Global Qualifying
The 2025 event follows a previous tournament held at Manly in 2023. This year’s contest is part of a broader international qualifying series, with winning teams from each country travelling to Japan for the SPOGOMI World Cup. Australia’s 2023 team finished sixth out of 21 competing nations.
Eligibility and Community Participation
Participation is free and open to all ages. Teams must consist of three Australian citizens or residents holding a valid passport expiring after May 2026. For minors, adult supervision and consent forms are required. Community groups, families, schools, and local businesses are encouraged to register or volunteer.
What’s Next
Registrations are now open, and with only 30 team slots available, organisers have indicated spots are filling quickly. The Manly tournament runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the winning team securing a fully funded trip to Tokyo to compete on the global stage.
Published 28-July-2025
