$2m in grants up for grabs for community footy - get in now!
Victoria community football is continuing to bounce back after a difficult few seasons, with the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) in place to support clubs and leagues.
This year, $2,000,000 in SCIF funding is available to Victorian community football to assist with participation and development of the game.
Clubs and leagues are encouraged to get their applications in soon with round one SCIF applications closing on May 31. CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
In 2021, there were 127 successful applicants who benefited from the SCIF with over $1,000,000 awarded to Victorian community clubs, regions, leagues and associations assisting in a wide range of endeavours that enhanced participation and sustainability for players, volunteers and clubs.
After experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID restrictions, the Croydon Blues Junior Football Club were able to subsidise a number of registration fees for some junior players, whilst in the Western Region Football League, the SCIF has been used to support the establishment of two new umpiring academies at Hoppers Crossing Football Ground and Point Cook Dunnings Road Reserve.
Joining the already successful umpire academy at MacKillop College Werribee, these academies will support around 60 new umpires and umpire coaches.
Umpires from the WRFL Umpire Academies
The SCIF has also contributed to the growth of women's football with funding going directly towards the establishment of new teams and female participation programs.
President of Black Rock Football and Netball Club, Andrew Ferguson, said the SCIF had helped the club launch its inaugural women's football team to coincide with the opening of their new facilities.
"With the funding, we were able to engage professional help and put funds towards hiring a coach and advertising the new team."
"Funds were also used on new equipment and player uniforms and to subsidise other startup costs. It's gone a long way to creating opportunities for senior female football in the area, strengthening the position of our club and creating a sustainable women's football program."
The inaugural Black Rock FNC Women's Senior Team
Fitzroy JFC used the funding to support a preseason clinic just for girls.
Coaching Director Keli Symons said the aim was to increase participation, improve skills, prevent injury and experience squad-based training whilst having fun.
"The club funded the cost of two specialist coaches - one to provide running and agility skills for footballers, and a specialist tackling coach."
"Our own coaches provided skills and game sense training. The SCIF funds were used to provide every participant with their own football to make sure every player has the opportunity to work on their skills outside of training and game day. The players loved being part of something big - with over 100 girls training each week for four weeks."
At Warranor Junior Football Club, the SCIF allow the club to provide sponsorship packs for all new female registrations—which included playing and safety gear—and helped to attract new female players. The club also used the fund to purchase new footballs for training and equipment for game day.
Warranor JFC platers at training
The SCIF is part of the $18 million investment into Victorian community football announced by the AFL in September 2019, the largest investment in community football in the state in more than two decades, and has provided over $1 million of grant funding directly to local football leagues and clubs so far.
The 2022 SCIF is now open with round one applications closing on May 31.
Interested applicants should review the SCIF 2022 Guidelines in detail to determine their project’s eligibility.
Should you have any queries, please send an email to scif@afl.com.au
