Dave Adamson

Community football clubs affiliated with the AFL have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Telstra Footy Country Grants program. This initiative is designed to help clubs strengthen their foundations and build for the future.

The grant aims to:

• Support and grow volunteer capacity.

• Increase and diversify player participation.

• Enhance club environments and experiences.

Funding can be used for projects such as:

• Installing electronic scoreboards

• Items which improve the safety of the environment e.g. Goal post padding, defibrillators. behind the goal netting

• Running volunteer training e.g. electronic bookkeeping, governance, barista, RSA, first aid/sports training course and food handling

• Introducing programs to attract new members e.g. new girls teams in age groups up to under 12’s, Indigenous or Pride theme

Please note: General facility upgrades (except electronic scoreboards), player payments, league fees, catering, advertising, tech equipment, and retrospective projects will not be covered.

Who can apply?

Any community club affiliated with the AFL is eligible (excluding VFL, VFLW, SANFL, SANFLW, WAFL, WAFLW clubs as well as umpiring groups)

Key Dates:

• Round 1: Dec 1, 2025 - Feb 1, 2026

• Round 2: Feb 2 - Apr 2, 2026

• Round 3: Apr 3 - May 24, 2026

• Round 4: May 25 - Jul 23, 2026