CLUBS under the AFL Goulburn Murray banner are set to save a combined total of $210,207 after the AFL removed affiliation fees for 2020-2022.
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The AFL, in partnership with the Victorian State Government, announced an additional $18 million investment into Victorian country football this morning.The three-year funding announcement marks the largest investment in country football in Victoria in more than two decades.The funding will support country football communities through targeted initiatives, providing immediate financial relief to clubs and volunteers and ensure the long-term sustainability of the game through the growth of grassroots participation.The removal of all AFL Victoria affiliation fees which will save country football clubs a total of $3.22 million each year, the removal of umpire registration fees and significant reduction in the cost of club apparel.The workload on volunteers will be lessened with $950,000 dedicated to initiatives to help volunteers run their clubs, including the launch of a digital portal and face-to-face support system, increased resourcing of Region Administration Centres (RACs) and the appointment of two integrity officers to assist with policy development and investigate matters in Safeguarding Children, Vilification and Social media breaches.Funding will also be focussed on growing the next generation of players, umpires and coaches with $330,000 dedicated to the introduction of Village Hubs which will be launched in select regions to align local schools, community clubs and AFL clubs together. The AFL will also invest $1.5million towards establishing a Strategic Community Investment Fund which will allow flexibility and immediate response to local league and club needs.Officially announcing the landmark investment at the Bacchus Marsh Football Club today, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said that the increased funding would lay the foundation for a strong future for country football.“Local football clubs are often the heart of local communities, especially here in Victoria.” Mr McLachlan said. “Community football is the cornerstone of our game and underpins all aspects of our national sport.“We understand the challenges faced in Victorian country football communities, especially with a change in demographics and community expectations, so it’s vital we continue to invest our support into volunteers, coaches, players, facilities and umpires who are the lifeblood of regional communities.“This funding, when coupled with the support already in place through the work of AFL Victoria, provides a platform for long-term growth in community football and an opportunity to reboot the community that fuels the game at the grassroots level.”
Football in Victoria has continued to experience rising participation figures year-on-year, with 474,633 participants, 1,223 clubs and 89 leagues recorded in 2018. Community football participation in Victoria increased by 4 per cent in 2018 with the state’s female participation rates have tripled over the past three years to surpass 1000 registered female teams for the first time in 2019. Overall, country football clubs make up for over half of total participation numbers in Victoria and grassroots fundraising has always been a focus to support clubs around the nation. The Victorian Community Football Investment plan will roll out in January 2020 and continue for three years, continuing the AFL’s commitment to growing community football at a grassroots level around Australia.
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