Country football clubs across Victoria are set to receive a major boost, with 12 new projects successful in securing funding through the latest round of the Country Football Netball Program.
More than $2.5 million will be invested in 2024, helping football clubs and their communities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations to improve their facilities.
Starting in 2005 and developed in partnership between the Victorian State Government, AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, the program has invested more than $40.2 million in more than 575 country football and netball infrastructure projects over the past decade.
This year’s round of funding will see the Riddell Bombers Football Netball Club earn support for new oval lighting to boost female and all abilities participation at their home ground, the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve.
“Thanks to this boost, our much-loved home ground will be brought back into the modern era, providing the club more opportunities to expand our teams and host the big games,” Riddell Football Netball Club Secretary Lauren Nolen said.
Successful projects in this round:
• Ararat Rural City Council - Tatyoon Oval Upgrade benefitting Tatyoon FNC
• Cardinia Shire Council – Sports field lighting upgrade to Mountain Road Recreation Reserve supporting Gembrook Cockatoo FNC
• East Gippsland Shire Council - Wy Yung Recreation Reserve Oval Lighting Project supporting Wy Yung FC
• Greater Dandenong City Council - Lois Twohig Reserve Oval 1 LED Lighting Upgrade supporting Masala FC
• Hepburn Shire Council - Victoria Park Daylesford Sports Lighting Upgrades supporting Daylesford FNC
• Hindmarsh Shire Council - Davis Park, Nhill AFL Changerooms benefitting Nhill and District Sporting Club
• Latrobe City Council - Lighting Upgrade for Gaskin Park Oval 2, Churchill supporting Churchill FNC
• Macedon Ranges Shire Council - Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve Oval Lighting Upgrade benefitting Riddells Creek FNC
• Moyne Shire Council - Victoria Park Koroit Football Netball Club Oval Lighting supporting Koroit FNC
• Southern Grampians Shire Council - Increasing AFL participation, equitable access and safety at Penshurst Oval benefitting Penshurst FNC
• Towong Shire Council - Illuminating Community Sport in Cudgewa supporting Cudgewa FNC
• West Wimmera Shire Council - Kaniva Recreation Reserve AFL Lighting Upgrade supporting Kaniva Leeor United FNC
Head of AFL Victoria Greg Madigan said: “The funding support provided via the Country Football and Netball Program continues to have a major impact on local football clubs and communities across Victoria, which benefit greatly from the development of new and upgraded facilities.
“AFL Victoria recognises the ongoing partnership and support of the Victorian Government, with the program to build on the significant investment in community sporting infrastructure it has delivered over the last two decades.”
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said: “At the heart of our rural and regional Victorian towns is country football and netball. This boost ensures even more clubs have the modern, welcoming and accessible facilities they need to continue to bring communities together.
“Better infrastructure allows clubs to nurture volunteers, encourage more participation, host more all abilities events and draw bigger crowds, creating a real buzz and boosting local economies.”