Nearly a dozen clubs under the AFL Goulburn Murray umbrella can rejoice following successful applications for a range of grants.
The AFL’s Telstra Country Footy Grants have assigned the initial round of funding, with 11 clubs from across the Goulburn Murray region receiving amounts between $1000 and $10,000 out of a pool sitting at about $75,000.
Echuca and Mansfield were successful in the Goulburn Valley League, while Congupna, Echuca United and Nathalia received grants out of the Murray competition.
Kyabram District League was a big winner, with five clubs — Avenel, Longwood, Murchison-Toolamba, Shepparton East and Tallygaroopna — benefitting from round one grants.
Kyabram’s St Augustine’s Junior Football Club pocketed a funding win as well.
AFL Goulburn Murray club development lead Sam Monaghan congratulated the successful applicants, noting all 11 registered clubs received a sum.
“All those clubs applied and received some form of funding, which was awesome,” Monaghan said.
“We pushed applicants through based on ensuring there was a good spread across a range of areas.
“The AFL was very generous in round one. Some may not have gotten the maximum for bigger-ticket projects, but everyone did successfully receive a grant amount.
“All the clubs applied for different things; some of the bigger ones are for scoreboards and things like that, whereas the smaller ones might put their volunteers through RSA training, for example.
“Some that already had things like scoreboards in place would have looked to put it towards volunteer and participation areas.”
Monaghan was also glad to see clubs receive sums to bolster aspects geared towards juniors and women’s competitions such as St Augustine’s.
“I think it's really exciting because promoting a safe space for participants and volunteers is vital,” Monaghan said.
“It's great to see a lot of clubs going for these funding opportunities.”
Round two of the Footy Country Grants is open to applicants and are set to close at 3pm on Friday, April 19.