Country footy clubs score more funding

New change rooms, new lighting and upgraded ovals are on their way to boost more country football and netball clubs across Victoria.

The Victorian Government has announced 11 new projects that will share in more than $2.5 million from the 2022-23 Country Football and Netball Program.

The Country Football Netball Program provides funding of up to $250,000 to assist country football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to improve facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

The program is a partnership between the Victorian Government, the AFL and Netball Victoria. Since 2005, more than $37.5 million has been invested in more than 560 projects across the state.

Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “With grassroots football growing and many facilities either not being up to standard or needing to expand to cater for more players, coaches, umpires and the general needs of clubs and communities, the Country Football and Netball Program continues to play an important role in helping clubs and communities across Victoria develop new and upgraded facilities.

“Local football brings communities together and clubs are often the heartbeat of towns across the state, so facilities need to be welcoming, inclusive and a place of pride for those who use them. The program delivers direct outcomes through funding projects such as lighting upgrades, modernising changerooms and expanding the availability of use for more people to play community football and netball.

“The Victorian Government's ongoing support of grassroots sport and the positive impact this has on so many communities is something AFL Victoria and local football clubs are extremely grateful for. This is a prime example of AFL Victoria and the Victorian Government working in partnership for the benefit of community football.”

2023 successful projects:

• Towong Shire Council – Female-friendly facilities at Bullioh – Wyeeboo Recreation Reserve supporting the Bullioh FNC
• Latrobe City Council - Gaskin Park Oval 2 surface upgrade benefitting the Churchill FNC and Churchill JFC
• Hepburn Shire Council – Newlyn Recreation Reserve sports lighting development supporting the Newlyn FNC
• Rural City of Wangaratta – New life for Whorouly Netball Courts supporting the Whorouly Lions FNC
• Mitchell Shire Council - LB Davern Reserve – Oval drainage upgrade benefitting the Wandong JFC
• Wodonga City Council - Les Cheesley Oval Sports Lighting supporting the Wodonga JFC
• Mansfield Shire Council - Lords Reserve drainage improvement project benefitting the Mansfield JFC
• East Gippsland Shire Council Lindenow South Recreation Reserve Oval lighting project supporting the Lindenow South FNC
• Moyne Shire Council – Port Fairy sports lighting project supporting the Port Fairy FNC
• Golden Plains Shire Council - Don Wallace Reserve Teesdale oval upgrade supporting the Teesdale JFC
• Mount Alexander Shire Council - Campbells Creek netball court upgrade benefiting the Campbells Creek FNC

Clubs seeking guidance or seeking more information on the Country Football Netball Program should make contact with their local AFL Region Manager, Local Council, or AFL Victoria’s Venue & Government Partnerships Manager, Jessie Doull via jessie.doull@afl.com.au to discuss future project ideas.

The announcement of funding for the oval drainage upgrade at LB Davern Reserve in Wandong