$1.8m to community footy through funding program in 2023

The latest round of AFL Victoria’s major funding program benefiting community football clubs, the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF), is closing after a successful program in 2023 that has seen funds directed to many exciting projects.

This year, more than $1.8 million worth of funding has been approved and will go towards financially supporting local clubs, to go with nearly $2.5 million in funding approved from the previous two years.

The 2023 SCIF program closes on July 25. Here are some examples of projects that will benefit from SCIF funding allocated in 2023:

Newbridge Football Netball Club, Loddon Valley Football Netball League

The club’s facilities suffered significant flood damage in the October 2022. Funding awarded will go towards covering costs related to improving the ground surface, as well as netting behind the goals, line marking equipment, point-of-sale systems and technology equipment.

Paynesville Football Netball Club, East Gippsland Football Netball League

The club successfully applied for funding to support staging a game during NAIDOC week to celebrate and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and members of their community. Funds were directed towards purchasing Indigenous-themed jumpers to be worn on the day, which was part of a number of activities the club held.

St Mary’s Sporting Club Geelong, AFL Barwon Football Netball League

With the club seeking to grow its women’s football program by two teams, SCIF funds were directed to new equipment dedicated to the women’s teams, including football, jumpers and training equipment, rather than continuing to use the handed down equipment from the men’s program.

Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said that SCIF funding assists in a wide range of endeavours that enhance participation and sustainability for players, volunteers and the clubs they are part of.

“Community football is the heartbeat of so many Victorian towns and communities, playing a critically important role in not only providing participation opportunities but delivering a range of benefits across social, health, community and economic outcomes.

“The AFL understands the challenges faced by football clubs across Australia, especially with changing demographics in many areas and community expectations. Helping strategically strengthen, sustain and grow community football is vital, and the AFL will continue to invest in important initiatives to help grow the game and the communities involved.”

The next round of SCIF applications will open later this year and clubs across Victoria are encouraged to consider how the SCIF program could benefit their club.

More about the SCIF program, including application criteria, can be viewed at: https://www.aflvic.com.au/facilities-funding/strategic-community-investment-fund