AusLeisure

Historic clubs including Williamstown, Coburg and Port Melbourne will be supported in a tri-state VFL competition, with details of near $1 million funding from the Victorian Government revealed today.

Standalone VFL clubs - also including Frankston, Northern Bullants and Werribee - will be eligible for travel and operations grants of up to $130,000 in 2021 as the VFL expands to take in six teams from NSW and Queensland.

AFL-aligned VFL clubs Sandringham (St Kilda), Box Hill Hawks (Hawthorn) and Casey Demons (Melbourne) will be eligible for grants of up to $65,000.

With the finances of VFL clubs significantly impacted by the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic the $975,000 investment will back the clubs in the new 22-team competition, which kicks off on 17th April.

The new VFL competition has been designed to standardise the pathway to the AFL for players, coaches and administrators along the east coast. This structure will ensure Victoria’s talent pool will continue to grow, providing athletes with more opportunities to play at the highest level.

The competing clubs are Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons, Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Werribee, Williamstown, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray, Geelong Cats, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sandringham; Aspley, Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns and Southport (all Queensland); and the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans (NSW).

Announcing the funding, Victoria Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula stated “our VFL clubs were battered financially last year and that’s why it’s important that we support them as they confront the significant costs of playing in a multi-state competition and providing a COVIDSafe environment.

“This new competition will help more players to reach the AFL and boost the standard of football for the many passionate fans who love to watch their teams play in the VFL.”

AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State Leagues, Tristan Salter added “VFL clubs have been pillars in Victorian football and their local communities for many years and this assistance gives our clubs the best opportunity to flourish again after a challenging 2020.”

The Strengthening Victoria's AFL Development Pathways Funding Program will only be open to Victorian clubs not operated by an AFL team.

Related Articles

19th February 2021 - VIC Active calls on Victorian Government to fulfill its promise of financial assistance

12th November 2019 - Victorian Government announces new Sports Facilities Grant funding

11th September 2018 - Victorian Government’s low interest loans prove popular with grassroots sport

2nd March 2021 - Queensland Government and AFL launch $8 million partnership to support community facilities and participation

1st March 2021 - AFL Tasmania announces new model for women’s competition

26th February 2021 - MCG set to welcome 50,000 fans for AFL season opener

17th February 2021 - Year of ‘sacrifices’ sees AFL report $22.8 million loss

12th February 2021 - AFLW reaches membership record in fifth season

1st February 2021 - Unreleased review reveals ‘systemic racism’ at AFL’s Collingwood FC

28th January 2021 - Ticket Sale Success and ‘This Is Us’ Campaign marks AFLW 2021 Season launch

19th January 2021 - Trans player Hannah Mouncey plans legal action against AFL

11th January 2021 - Study finds impacts of AFL players concussion last longer than previously thought

24th December 2020 - AFL announces broadcast agreement extensions with Foxtel and Telstra

20th October 2020 - AFL’s Gabba Grand Final to be played in front of 30,000 fans

25th August 2020 - AFL restructuring sees integration of management at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium

24th August 2020 - Decline in income forces AFL to restructure operations with 20% of staff to be cut

23rd July 2020 - AFL and NRL show year-on-year value gains

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.