Local football clubs across Australia will have the opportunity to share in an $8 million funding boost over 2024-2028 through the Telstra Footy Country Grants. With a pool of $2 million to be distributed in 2025, eligible clubs can apply for grants up to $20,000, helping strengthen, sustain and grow local footy.

National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of the incredible contributions made by volunteers was held from 19-25 May. The 2025 theme “Connecting Communities,” highlighted the incredible power of volunteering to bring people together, build relationships and create stronger, more inclusive communities.

Join the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports Team for a free online alcohol management workshop, delivered in partnership with Golden Plains Shire Council. Golden Plains Shire clubs play a vital role in supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of their players, members and the local community.

Five community sporting organisations have partnered with Sports Central to take part in BASIC Clubs, a new program proudly supported by the City of Ballarat. Designed to help local clubs and associations become more inclusive, welcoming and accessible, BASIC Clubs is focused on creating safer, more respectful sporting environments for people of all backgrounds, abilities and experiences.

The Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund supports events that bring thousands of visitors to regional Victoria, delivering economic impact, creating jobs and supporting local business. The Fund backs festivals, culinary, sporting and cultural events that showcase the vibrancy of Victoria’s regions.

The Victorian Government’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that students can take part in valuable school activities by providing financial support to eligible families. Payments can be used to support student participation in activities, including swimming extension activities, school-organised sport programs and outdoor education programs.

The Country Football and Netball Program is delivered in partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria. It provides funding to Local Government Authorities to help regional football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations upgrade and develop facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

The Australian Sports Commission’s Local Para Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-24 participating in state, national or international championships for athletes with a disability. Successful applicants will receive $750-$1000 towards the cost of attending their championships.

The Peter Amor Sports Participation Fund Grant program is an annual grant program delivered by the Ballarat Foundation United Way Inc. in a bid to break the cycles of disadvantage within Ballarat and surrounding areas. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to sporting clubs, groups and organisations promoting sporting pursuits to provide access to, or encourage participation from, disadvantaged individuals and groups.

The Australian Sport Commission has a strong focus on gender equity and continues to strive for women in all their diversity to be actively engaged and equally contributing within the sporting sector. The Women Leaders in Sport programs have supported thousands of women advance their careers, however making systemic changes to achieve gender equity is now a major priority of the Australian Sports Commission.