Birregurra put SCIF funding towards inaugural CDFNL Indigenous game
A grant received courtesy of the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) has helped Birregurra Football and Netball Club host Apollo Bay Football and Netball Club in an inaugural Indigenous game in the Colac and District Football and Netball League.
Birregurra applied for SCIF funding in 2021 and received a $10,000 grant which they put towards the special event.
Both clubs had Indigenous jumpers specially designed by local artist Joey Chatfield and participated in pregame celebrations that included a Welcome to Country and Smoking ceremony performed by Brett Clarke, Josephine Clarke and their children.
Birregurra were too strong for Apollo Day in the contest and came out victorious, 14.9 93 to 8.3 51, capping off a fantastic day for the club and the CDFNL.
With the success of the event, the clubs are hopeful that the game will become a permanent fixture in the CDFNL.
Apollo Bay players watch on during the pregame Smoking Ceremony
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. We are excited to be able to offer this investment fund again post COVID-19 and ensure that community clubs, leagues and regions across Victoria have an opportunity to apply for support funding.
Local football clubs are at the heart of local communities. They play a critically important role in not only providing participation opportunities but deliver a range of benefits across social, health, community and economic outcomes.
Community football is the cornerstone of our game and underpins all aspects of our national sport. The AFL understands the challenges faced by football clubs across Australia, especially with a change in demographics and community expectations, so it’s vital we continue to invest into important initiatives that help strategically strengthen, sustain and grow community football into the future.
Round 3 applications are now open and close on Sunday the 2nd October, 2022.
Should you have any queries, please send an email to scif@afl.com.au
