As community winter sports players head towards finals season, the Andrews Labor Government is backing home-grown football and netball teams with more grants to upgrade local facilities across Victoria.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today officially announced the 2023-24 Country Football and Netball Program is now open for applications.
Grants of up to $250,000 are available to make more sport infrastructure developments possible including court and oval lighting upgrades, changeroom developments and new pavilions for local clubs and communities.
This funding helps more clubs make important upgrades to facilities to ensure more players, coaches, umpires and supporters of all abilities can get involved in local sport. Local footy and netball clubs in eligible areas are encouraged to speak to their local councils to apply for program funding.
Previous successful projects include $250,000 for a new netball court and lighting upgrades at the home of the Campbells Creek Magpies Football Netball Club in Mt Alexander Shire, as well as $230,000 towards the Les Cheesley Oval lighting upgrade, home of the Wodonga Bulldogs Junior Football Club.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 is providing more than $213 million to deliver new and improved community sport infrastructure and support initiatives that boost participation and inclusion in local sports clubs and organisations.
The Program is a partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria, and Netball Victoria. Since 2005, more than $37.5 million has been invested in more than 560 projects across the state.
It's also part of the more than $1.9 billion the Labor Government has invested in community sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014.
Applications close on 9 October 2023. For more information on the program and to apply, visit sport.vic.gov.au
As stated by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
"Better facilities allow clubs to take on more players, host more events and draw bigger crowds, creating a real buzz in the community and boosting local economies."
As stated by CEO of Netball Victoria Andrea Pearman
"The Country Football and Netball Program continues to support our netball community to build capacity and make our game safer and more inclusive. Better facilities mean more participation, and greater opportunities for Victorians to experience everything our sport has to offer."
As stated by the Head of AFL Victoria Ben Kavenagh
"Sport in our country regions brings communities together and football clubs are often the heartbeat of towns, so having good facilities helps to provide a positive experience for players, umpires, volunteers, families and supporters who make country football clubs thrive.
