Kindness Report for Sport 2026
Our annual celebration of the sporting community who make a difference to critically ill children – by helping us bring their sports wishes to life.
Sporting clubs and sports stars are a vital part of the Australian community, and their support is invaluable to the hundreds of wish kids who rely on Make-A-Wish to grant their wishes each and every year.
Our Kindness Report for Sport is a celebration of the Australian sporting community and the amazing people, clubs, corporates, media outlets, and unsung heroes who have come together to support critically ill kids and their families during the 2025/26 Financial Year.
This is our thank you to all those amazing people who have helped make a difference in the lives of critically ill children and their families, and to everyone who loves their sport.
Together we are changing lives, one wish at a time. ⭐
AFL
A heartfelt thanks to the AFL and the Collingwood and Port Adelaide Power Clubs - your unwavering support put us in front of the big sticks to kick three spectacular life-changing goals for our wish kids including: 🏆
⭐ I wish to kick a football with Nick Daicos.
⭐ I wish to be part of the Port Power AFL team.
⭐ I wish to meet the Port Adelaide FC players and have a special game day experience.
Basketball
To everyone at Basketball Australia and the Hungry Jack’s NBL, thank you for the assists with various wishes over the past 12 months.
⭐ I wish to have a VIP experience at the NBA tour series in Melbourne.
⭐ I wish to meet NBA player Josh Giddey.
UFC
A fist-bump with the organisers of the UFC 325 event in Sydney, who helped make a life-changing wish come true. 🤜🤛
⭐ I wish to be immersed in an ultimate UFC experience.
Cricket
Our friends at Cricket Australia, and the incredible men’s team bowled us over yet again, helping deliver two life-changing wishes. While the good folk at Brisbane Heat also got into the swing of things🏏
⭐I wish to have a VIP experience at the Ashes and meet the Australian Men's Cricket team in Sydney. Read more here
⭐I wish to meet the Australian Cricket Team and watch the Boxing Day Test. Read more here
⭐ I wish to have a once in a lifetime, interactive Brisbane Heat cricket experience.
Archie bowls them over again
One of our all-time iconic sporting wishes – Archie’s wish to be Australian Test captain – was revisited during our 2026 Melbourne Gala Ball.
In 2018, the then 7-year-old Archie was made Australian Test skipper for the Boxing Day match versus India.
Archie tossed the coin, led the team onto the field and even had a small stint in the commentary box.
The poise Archie showed on that big day was on display at the gala ball, when Archie helped with one of the auction items.
Cricket Australia offered 4 A-Reserve tickets for this year’s Boxing Day Test, which Archie skilfully auctioned off himself to the delight of the huge audience.
The record breakers and attempts
Extreme Sport Fundraisers
To every fundraising legend who ignored their aching Achilles or sore shoulder, thank you for digging deep and pushing through! 👟
⭐ Noosa Triathlon
A huge high-five to all the incredible athletes who swam, rode and ran to raise money to help grant life-changing wishes for kids with critical illnesses.
⭐Tainui’s Run For Wishes
It took Tainui Kaihau 11 hours to run 100km along the Gold Coast, raising valuable funds for wishes. In addition to his local community, he was joined by Dr Margaret Little, one of his doctors during treatment and also a member of the Make-A-Wish Board, who turned up to surprise her former patient and join in for a 10k gallop.
The epic journey was sparked by Make-A-Wish granting Tainui his own wish in 2018. Learn more here.
⭐ Magnificent Mason: Ed’s Stunning Swim
Ed Mason ignored freezing conditions to swim 27km over eight hours across New Zealand’s Lake Tekapo, becoming just the fourth person in the world to manage the crossing. Ed said his fundraising was inspired by all the wish kids “doing it really tough”. Read more here.
⭐Unstoppable Duc runs 250km
Despite a knee injury sustained before he began his run, Duc Do ran an extraordinary 250km from Timaru Creek to Queenstown (in New Zealand). It took Duc just over 34 hours to complete the run, which raised money for wishes. Read more here.
Pickleball
Thank you to the National Pickleball League for hosting the inaugural Pickleball for Wishes at the The Jar in South Melbourne.
12 corporate teams of four went head-to head in a fun and exhilarating Round-Robin style tournament, with all funds raised helping wishes come true.
📣 SHOUT OUT TO
Fundraising Champions
To those who put on their runners and rode or walked for wishes, we salute you.
⭐Finlay’s Ride for Wish Kids
Finlay rode his bike to raise money for wishes, sometimes as far as 6km a day! This fundraising superstar took part in Ride for Wish Kids, clocking up a massive 367km on his bike in February. Read more here.
⭐Walk for Wish Kids: Walk from Launceston to Devonport
Nicholas walked from Launceston to Devonport in April, to raise money for more wishes to be granted.
Golf Day Fundraisers
We are grateful to all the businesses that hosted Golf Day fundraisers to help make as many wishes a hole in one as possible. ⛳
⭐ Hungry Jack’s Golf Day
Hungry Jacks, their team members, and amazing partners and suppliers got together for another incredible day of golf – enjoying some competitive match play while raising important funds for wish kids.
The fundraising event officially kicked off the launch of the 2026 Hungry Jack's Make-A-Wish campaign which runs from the 2 June to the 29 June. A huge thanks to everyone at Hungry Jack's for their continued support throughout the year and being our Mission Critical Partner.
⭐ Essendon Fields King Island Classic hosted by Air Adventure Golf Tours
Now in its 9th year, golfers descended on King Island to show their swings and their generosity. More here.
⭐ Blooms The Chemist Golf Day
For the 8th consecutive year, Major Partner Blooms The Chemist teed up for their Golf Day, raising valuable money in support of critically ill kids. Blooms celebrate 10 incredible years of partnership this year and we remain so grateful for everything the team does throughout the year to support Make-A-Wish.
⭐Facey Property Golf Day
Celebrating 31 years, the annual Facey Property Golf Day is a golfing tradition supported by our local Cardinia-Casey Volunteer Branch. Thank you to everyone who took part in the day.
⭐ Casey Partners Golf Day
Casey Partners and our local Cardinia-Casey Volunteer Branch held another successful golf day in June. This wonderful community event was held for the 30th time in 2026.
📣Shout out to
Fundraising Champions
A round of applause for all the clubs who pulled together with one thought in mind: how to raise money for wishes.
⭐ Much love to Sydney’s Five Docks Falcons Baseball Club for its Make-A-Wish Charity Round in October.
⭐ Shout-out to the Barossa Valley Branch of Make-A-Wish, which ran the Nuriootpa Netball Club Ladies Day in July.
⭐ Praise to The Altona Sports Club for its ongoing support over the past 4 years, raising more money at its event in September.
⭐ Huge thanks to the Motorhead Drives Car Show held in November.
⭐ The North Melbourne Football Club playing group decided to donate to Make-A-Wish, through the AFL Players Care program.
NRL
A heartfelt thanks to the NRL, Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers, and Melbourne Storm for conversion of so many cherished wishes.
⭐I wish to attend the NRL Preliminary final and watch the Broncos play.
⭐I wish to meet the Panthers and go to a game.
⭐I wish to meet some Raider's players and go to a game
⭐I wish meet Brisbane Broncos player Reece Walsh.
⭐I wish to meet and lead the Roosters onto the field at a Roosters v Tigers game. Read more here.
⭐I wish to attend the NRL Grand final. Read more here.
⭐I wish to attend a Melbourne Storm home game and meet my favourite players.
⭐I wish to attend the NRL Magic Round. See more here.
⭐I wish to go to the Rugby State of Origin and meet some players
⭐I wish to attend the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix™ in Melbourne and meet my favourite driver.
⭐I wish to be immersed in the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and walk through the Pit Lane.
⭐I wish to have a much-anticipated, Formula 1 experience at the Australian Grand Prix.
⭐I wish to meet the Red Bull team in the pits at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
⭐I wish to be immersed in the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix atmosphere with my family.
⭐I wish to attend the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and meet my favourite driver.
⭐I wish to meet my F1 idols and experience the thrill of watching a live F1 race.
⭐I wish to go to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and meet my favourite driver Lando Norris.
Motorsport
We raise our flag to all the engine lovers – the trucks, cars and go-karts – for creating extraordinary experiences that last a lifetime.
⭐I wish to see the Hot Wheels Monster Truck event in Brisbane. Read more here.
⭐I wish to see Monster Jam trucks in real life and maybe even get to sit in one. Read more here.
⭐I wish to finally go to Phillip Island and have a VIP MotoGP™ experience. See the video
⭐I wish to have a racing car simulator set up just like my dad's!
⭐I wish to have my own go-kart to ride with my best friend.
⭐I wish to attend Bathurst 1000 and meet my favourite driver Chaz Mostert.
E-Sports
Our thanks to the streamers, content creators and online gamers who help wishes come true.
⭐I wish to meet Lazarbeam and play games with him.
⭐I wish to meet Jynxzi, my favourite streamer.
Archery
⭐I wish to have a new bow and accessories to continue my passion for archery.
Golf
Simply putt, we are so grateful to the Australian Golf Open and all others who helped deliver great golf wishes.
⭐I wish to have the ultimate golfing experience with my family. See more.
⭐I wish to have a Golf Simulator so I can play golf whenever I want.
⭐I wish to play golf with a famous golfer at the Australian Golf Open.
Netball
Thank you to Netball Australia and the Australian Diamonds who sparkled yet again, helping to deliver a fabulous wish.
⭐I wish to meet the Diamonds and see them play in the Constellation Cup. See more here
WWE
A well-deserved chorus of cheers to everyone at WWE and Perth’s RAC Arena for creating incredible experiences that saw wish kids mesmerised and overjoyed during their wishes.
⭐ I wish to go to the biggest WWE event in Australia and meet my idol, John Cena. Read more here
⭐ I wish to attend the WWE and meet my favourite female fighters.
Tennis
Game, set and match to the Australian Open and Tennis Australia for serving up this life-changing wish—you smashed it! 🎾
⭐ I wish to attend the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Snow
Thank you to the incredible teams at Mt Hotham, Threadbo, Corin Forest and Falls Creek for creating extraordinary experiences for wish kids in the snow!
⭐I wish to have a snowy animal adventure.
⭐I wish to have an exciting family snow trip with a Questacon twist.
⭐I wish to finally see snow and make a snowman after a long wait.
⭐I wish to visit the snow and try snowboarding for the first time.
⭐I wish to go to the snow and build a snowman.
⭐I wish for a snow holiday with my family!
⭐I wish to have a Fun Frozen Snow Holiday.
⭐I wish to play in snow for the first time!
⭐I wish to have a memorable snow holiday with my family.
⭐I wish to go on a snow trip with my family.
⭐I wish to visit the snow and go dog sledding with my family.
⭐I wish to go snowboarding in Victoria.
⭐I wish to have a fun snow adventure with my family where we can learn how to ski and build a snowman.
⭐I wish to go to the snow for the first time!
⭐I wish to have a holiday at the snow.
⭐I wish to have lots of fun and build a snowman at the snow.
⭐I wish to have a daredevil trip to the snow.
⭐I wish to have a snowy holiday.
⭐I wish to have my first trip to the snow!
⭐I wish to go to Thredbo for snow sports and visit Karel's T-Bar.
The lasting impact of sports wishes
A wish is more than a moment. It’s a unique experience designed to support a child through the toughest of times, carefully crafted to reflect who they are and what they love.
More than 40 years of family feedback along with a growing body of international research, shows wishes work to complement medical treatment, building resilience and hope.
For everyone involved, the impact is powerful and lasting – well beyond the wish itself.
To every sports fan, and the many clubs and unsung heroes who have supported wishes coming true – thank you. You’re helping create lasting impact for critically ill children and we’re truly grateful to have you as part of our Wish Force.⭐
Wish kids featured on this page
⭐Caleb, 17, cerebral palsy, ‘I wish to attend Bathurst 1000 and meet my favourite driver Chaz Mostert’
⭐Finn, 14, cystic fibrosis, ‘I wish for a safe rubber basketball court to play on’
⭐Logan, 5, neuroblastoma, ‘I wish to kick a football with Nick Daicos’
⭐Flynn, 14, cystic fibrosis, ‘I wish to have a VIP experience at the Ashes and meet the Australian Men's Cricket team in Sydney’
⭐ Archie, 14, congenital heart disease, 'I wish to be the Australian cricket captain for the day'
⭐Esther, 13, kidney disease, ‘I wish to attend the NRL Preliminary final and watch the Broncos play’
⭐ Zephyr, 12, osteosarcoma, 'I wish to meet the Red Bull team in the pits at the F1 Melbourne Grand Prix'
⭐Dominic, 6, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, 'I wish to see the Hot Wheels Monster Truck event in Brisbane'
⭐Campbell, 16, osteosarcoma, 'I wish to finally go to Philip Island and have a VIP Moto GP experience'
⭐Ashton, 17, Arteriovenous malformation, ‘I wish to have a new bow and accessories to continue my passion for archery
⭐Ben, 14, brain tumour, 'I wish to have the ultimate golfing experience with my family'
⭐Matilda, 17, cystic fibrosis, ‘I wish to meet the Diamonds and see them play in the Constellation Cup’
⭐ Mason, 10, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, ‘I wish to go to the biggest WWE event in Australia and meet my idol John Cena’
⭐Clancy, 14, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, 'I wish to have a snowy animal adventure'
Also featured:
⭐Finlay, cycling superstar who took part in 2026 Ride for Wish Kids