Funding
Grants
Media Release
AFL and Telstra launch major local footy grants program
14 SEP 2023 BY: AFL
Members of the Western Region Football League are joined by (L-R) Telstra's Brent Smart, Collingwood's Josh Daicos, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, Essendon's Bonnie Toogood and AFL's Rob Auld
Local football clubs across Australia will receive an $8 million boost over the next four years as the AFL and Telstra today unveiled Telstra Footy Country Grants.
With a pool of $2 million to be distributed each year starting in 2024, eligible regional and metro clubs can apply for grants up to $20,000 – helping strengthen, sustain and grow local footy.
Whether it’s upgrading to an electronic scoreboard, upskilling volunteers or introducing new initiatives to attract more participants, Telstra Footy Country Grants aims to provide tangible support for clubs and help to alleviate the challenges they may face.
As the foundation of our great game and the heartbeat of communities, investment in local clubs is vital to ensuring everyone has access to play Aussie Rules and experience the health, social and wellbeing benefits that come with belonging to a club.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said this initiative follows the league’s commitment to increase investment in local footy.
“Telstra Footy Country Grants is targeted directly at clubs to make volunteering easier, diversify and broaden our participation and ensure our game is truly welcoming and inclusive,” McLachlan said.
“This initiative comes off the back of the commitment we made in 2022 to invest a minimum of 10 per cent of the game’s annual assessable revenue enshrined to go towards game development.
“On behalf of the AFL I’d like to thank Telstra for their investment in our game. They have been long-time supporters of footy – more than two decades – and the benefits of this grants program will be felt for years to come.”
Telstra CFO and Group Executive, Michael Ackland, said:
“Footy is woven into the fabric of communities across Australia, where it’s so much more than a sport or a weekend activity – it’s part of our culture and national identity and for many it’s what provides a deep sense of community, not to mention a range of health benefits.
“The Telstra Footy Country Grants initiative is an opportunity to celebrate and elevate an unrivalled passion and commitment: from players, to the armies of supporters and volunteers that make such a valuable contribution.
“We are proud to build on our long running work with the AFL to deliver tangible support for local clubs across the country to back them where they are most needed. We hope that by investing in sport we will not only fuel the love for the game but also nurture young talent, so they have equal opportunity to follow their dreams,” said Mr Ackland.
Click here for the full media release on afl.com.au.
