The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), in coordination with the symbolic passage of the Commonwealth Games’ King’s Baton Relay, led a successful beach cleanup initiative on Labour Day, May 23, 2025, at the Jamnesia Surf Club in Bull Bay, St. Andrew.
The event served as a tangible demonstration of the Commonwealth’s commitment to environmental sustainability, with just about 500 days to go before the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The beach cleanup was part of a mandate issued to all 74 Commonwealth territories participating in the Baton Relay, which began its global journey in March 2025.
The Commonwealth Games Federation, in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, called on member countries to support the “Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign” by engaging in activities that protect coastal and marine environments.
The JOA, alongside representatives from several member federations including the Jamaica Surfing Association, Jamaica Esports, Jamaica Handball, and Combat Sambo, rallied approximately 35 volunteers to clean approximately 1.5 kilometres of coastline—from the Jamnesia strip to Cable Hut Beach.
In just a few hours, participants collected over 100 pounds of waste, including 437 plastic items and 279 miscellaneous items such as glass, fish traps, and discarded packaging.
Novelette Harris, Member Relations Manager at the JOA, underscored the importance of linking sport with sustainability.
“The King’s Baton Relay serves as a unifying event across nations through sport. Today was a demonstration of this unity with our Jamaica sports family. We came together in a productive and fun way to show our support in protecting and preserving our environment, collecting over 100 pounds of waste from the shoreline,” she revealed.
“Heartfelt thanks to the Jamaica Surfing Association for collaborating with us and hosting us at their Jamnesia location. We also thank our other member federations—esport, combat sambo, handball—and their families and friends who came out in support of this very worthwhile activity.”
Harris also emphasized the growing recognition within the sports community of the impact climate change can have on performance and participation.
“The issue of climate change and environmental sustainability is increasingly important. It affects not just the planet, but sport itself,” Harris explained. “Rising temperatures and pollution impact how athletes train and compete. So it is no longer just the responsibility of environmental groups—it’s also our responsibility as sport organizations to act.”
One of the day’s key collaborators, the Jamaica Surfing Association, played host for the cleanup at their Jamnesia Beach. Former president Anthony Wilmot highlighted the cultural and environmental value of the coastline to the surfing community:
“The beach is very dear to us as surfers, and we really appreciate the effort and the contribution that everyone has made to make our coastline cleaner and a more beautiful place,” he said.
Beyond the local surfing community, other sport federations also turned out in support, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines the Baton Relay. Among them was the Jamaica Handball Association, whose president, Oery Warren, reflected on the deeper significance of the cleanup.
“Jamaica Handball is proud to participate in today’s beach cleanup to mark the occasion of the King’s Baton Relay in Jamaica,” he said. “This is an important activity as every piece of trash collected is a step towards a cleaner and healthier environment. We thank the Jamaica CGA for including us in this very worthwhile event.”
As the King’s Baton continues its journey through the Commonwealth, Jamaica’s initiative stands out as an example of how sport can galvanize communities around shared global challenges. By uniting athletes and federations under the cause of environmental preservation, the JOA has shown that sporting leadership extends well beyond competition.
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