AFL Victoria welcomes State Government’s commitment to community sport

AFL Victoria welcomes the Victorian Government’s commitment to backing more community sporting clubs, better local sports facilities and the opportunity for women and girls to participate, following the release of the Victorian Budget 2021/22.

Football across the state faced significant challenges after the cancelled season in 2020, but with registered participation numbers on track to meet or exceed pre-COVID 2019 figures in 2021, the government’s support for community football is critical and will help to drive further growth in the game.

Players, leagues, clubs, volunteers and officials will benefit from the government investment of $70.6 million, highlights directly impacting community football including:

• $55m for new and improved community sports infrastructure including female friendly facilities
• $11.6 million to continue programs that are driving participation and inclusion for women and girls
• Funding that will benefit AFL/AFLW and VFL infrastructure and community projects

Head of AFL Victoria, Brad Scott, said: “AFL Victoria will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government on a range of projects and initiatives benefiting communities, clubs, leagues and players across the state.

“The government is clearly committed to grassroots sport and our game will benefit from that commitment.

“With participation growth, and the ongoing surge in the popularity of football for women and girls, the planning and development of fit-for-purpose infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring the game can continue to cater for everyone who wants to be involved.”

The AFL is currently involved in more than 50 projects in Victoria. The scale of facilities development benefiting football is unprecedented and is due to the growth of the game across the state.

A great example of what can be achieved when stakeholders from across government, local communities and the AFL come together is Victoria’s new $13.3 million facility at MacPherson Park in Melton, which was recently announced as a joint winner of the prestigious National Project of the Year as part of the AFL’s 2020 Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Awards.