Victorian Country Football and Netball Program delivers new funding and celebrates 500th project

17 new projects are set to share in more than $1.6 million in funding from the latest round of the Country Football and Netball Program (CFNP). The joint program,funded through Victorian Government via Sport and Recreation Victoria, Netball Victoria and AFL Victoria, assists country football and netball clubs to develop facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

The program has provided close to $30million of funding towards projects since its inception in 2005, directly resulting in a near $100million now being invested into 500 facilities for athletes across Victoria.

These investments have seen sporting infrastructures of all kinds flourish into central locations for social interaction, increased participation and sporting development.

In almost 15 years, the program has addressed aging infrastructure, increased access to year- round playing and training facilities with lighting and over-head coverage, and provided facilities that support rural and regional townships as neighbourhood safer places.

Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects that improve community football and netball infrastructure, including new or redeveloped change rooms, installation of improved turf, drainage and irrigation, new or upgraded courts or installation of sports lighting for courts or ovals.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula advised: “These grants help country football and netball clubs, and clubs on the metropolitan fringe, who may be struggling with outdated, overused or non-compliant facilities. We want to make it easier for everyone; players, coaches, umpires, kids and club supporters to stay involved in the game they love, while encouraging the community to lead healthy and active lifestyles.”

Minister Pakula added: “Better sport and recreation infrastructure allows clubs to host more events and draw bigger crowds, bringing them vital revenue. Having modern infrastructure also helps clubs attract new players from near and afar.

“Regional Victoria is home to some of the state’s top football and netball leagues. These clubs have bred some of our nation’s greatest champions. They deserve modern, accessible and safe infrastructure that they can be proud of.

“Local football and netball clubs are the lifeblood of our communities. That’s why we’re proud to continue this successful program in partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria.”

Two townships to have reaped the rewards of the CFNP are Irymple FNC Henshilwood, Mildura and the Anakie FNC in Geelong.

With assurance from the CFNP and Mildura City Council, Irymple FNC were able to relocate their non-compliant and structurally unsound courts to a new location on their reserve with two brand new courts.

The reserve now supports Netball, Football and Cricket for its local community, providing stability for sport in their area as a long-term solution.

In Geelong, the G21 (Geelong Region Alliance) and AFL Barwon strategy identified Anakie as having the most dire facilities in the Geelong & District Football League (GDFL).

In 2016 CFNP funded $100,000 for the club which had been struggling with ageing facilities for more than a decade. With assistance from the CFPN, Anakie has been able to elevate the outcomes for all players in the community and grow its participation rates.

For more information on The Country Football and Netball Program go to https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/country-football-and-netball-program

Image courtesy of Netball Victoria