AFL to distribute $1.2 million as part of Community Relief Fund
The AFL is pleased to announce that $1,216,481 from the Community Relief Fund has been approved by the Governance committee to be immediately distributed to community football clubs/leagues in bushfire affected areas.
The Governance committee chaired by Essendon Football Club President Lindsay Tanner met for the first time in Melbourne this week.
Applications for funding were received for community football clubs and leagues across ACT, Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland.
Committee Chair Mr Tanner said it was vital decisions were made quickly and the funds distributed on the eve of the community football seasons nationally.
“To the clubs and leagues that submitted for funding I want to thank you for your applications. It was clear that the bushfires have had a widespread affect across many local football communities” Mr Tanner said.
“The Committee’s focus was to ensure we were well informed in our decision making and that the clubs and leagues in need receive the funding immediately.
“To all the football clubs and leagues in bushfire affected areas, we are committed to continuing to work with you through the rebuild and recovery stage in this difficult time.”
The Governance Committee will meet again in May to evaluate further applications for funding.
Earlier this week the AFL, its 18 Clubs and AFL / AFLW players through the AFL Players’ Association, announced that collective $8 million dollars had been raised for Bushfire Relief.
The figure is comprised of:
– $2.5 million by the AFL, its 18 Clubs and AFL / AFLW players through the AFL Players’ Association.
– $3.9 million from the State of Origin double header event, fundraising collection points at AFLW matches and contributions by AFL corporate partners.
– $1.6 million in club led activities
Clubs and Leagues that received funding:
| State | Club |
| QLD | Yeppoon Swans |
| NSW | Pambula Panthers AFC |
| NSW | Batemans Bay Seahawks |
| NSW | Nowra Albatross Vikings AFC |
| NSW | Eden Whalers AFC |
| NSW | Broulee Moruya GIANTS AFC |
| VIC | Federals FNC |
| VIC | Swifts Creek Football Netball Club |
| VIC | Upper Murray Football Netball League |
| SA | Lobethal FC, Onkaparinga Valley FC, Torrens Valley FC and Gumeracha FC |
| SA | Kangaroo Island Football League |
| SA | Western Districts Football Club |
| SA | All Kangaroo Island Football League Clubs – Western Districts FC, Parndana FC, Kingscote FC, Dudley United FC and Wisanger Sports Club |
| SA | Lobethal FC |
| SA | Torrens Valley FC |
The figure announced today is in addition to $738,000 that had already been distributed to 262 community football clubs & NAB Auskick centres in Bushfire affected areas. A list of these clubs can be found HERE.
The Governance Committee will meet again in May to evaluate further applications for funding.
Earlier this week the AFL, its 18 Clubs and AFL / AFLW players through the AFL Players’ Association, announced that collective $8 million dollars had been raised for Bushfire Relief.
The figure is comprised of:
– $2.5 million by the AFL, its 18 Clubs and AFL / AFLW players through the AFL Players’ Association.
– $3.9 million from the State of Origin double header event, fundraising collection points at AFLW matches and contributions by AFL corporate partners.
– $1.6 million in club led activities.
After announcing the State of Origin Double header for bushfire relief the AFL formed a governance committee to administer the remaining funds raised from the Community Relief Fund.
Mr McLachlan said the committee will ensure the football clubs and footballing families in bushfire affected areas will receive the support of the AFL Community.
Essendon Football Club President and former Federal Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner will chair the Governance Committee, with representatives from across the AFL industry, representing states and territories that have been impacted as well as people with community, legal, infrastructure, club and playing experience.
KPMG have been engaged to audit the process.
Members of the Governance Committee include:
– Chair – Lindsay Tanner, Essendon President
– Simone Wilkie AO, AFL Commissioner
– Andrew Dillon, AFL General Counsel & GM Game Development
– Tom Harley, CEO Sydney Swans
-Paul Vandenbergh, Director Aboriginal programs, Port Adelaide Football Club
– Phil Davis, AFLPA Vice President, GWS Giants player
– Meg Downie, AFLPA board member, Melbourne Demons AFLW player
Football clubs in bushfire affected areas can download application forms for funding HERE.
