Federal Government contributes $2.7 million to women’s football programs

Avatar
Matildas
Image via Shutterstock

Football Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s investment of $2.7 million into women’s football programs.

As announced in the 2022 Federal Budget, the Federal Government will contribute $2.7 million over two years to encourage greater participation in football through the delivery of specific women and girls’ diversity and inclusion programs as announced in the 2022 Federal Budget.

As part of Football Australia’s Legacy ’23 Plan – an ambitious strategy to ensure the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 delivers positive and enduring benefits for Australia’s largest sporting community beyond the tournament – the sport’s governing body will utilise this Federal Budget funding to support the delivery of two programs: Miniroos Multicultural Settlement Program and National Multicultural Youth Program.

The financial support further reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to aiding the growth of women’s football, with Football Australia already securing $230 million in Legacy ’23 funding from the Federal and several State Governments up to July, as stated per an earlier Football NSW media release.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson acknowledged and thanked the Federal Government for their continued support of Football Australia and Legacy ’23.

“Football Australia has been focused on ensuring the delivery of tangible long-term benefits for Australian football and is excited to continue to bring our vision for legacy to life,” Johnson explained in a Football Australia media release.

“We are delighted with the strong support of our Legacy ’23 Plan, with this additional support from the Federal Government helping our game to reach new community groups and help deliver more positive outcomes in the participation pillar of the Legacy ’23 Plan.

“By expanding the reach and impact of Australia’s most diverse and largest club participation sport, we can create more economic, health and social benefits for all Australians, and unlock the potential of women and girls from culturally-diverse communities.”

Melbourne Victory secures new sponsorship deal with Ferraro Dairy

Avatar
Image credit: Melbourne Victory Facebook page

Melbourne Victory Football Club has confirmed a new collaboration with Ferraro Dairy. Under the terms of the agreement, Ferraro Dairy’s brand will be prominently displayed on the back of the shorts for both the A-League Men’s team and Academy teams for the next two seasons.

Ferraro Dairy is an Australian family-owned dairy for 50 years, based in Tullamarine. They pride themselves on high-standard dairy products from Australian produce.

The two-season partnership represents a strategic move for both organisations, combining the prestige of one of Australia’s premier football clubs with a respected name in the dairy industry. By extending the branding to both senior and academy levels, the partnership shows a comprehensive approach to team sponsorship.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting the alignment between the two organisations.

“We’re incredibly pleased to have Ferraro Dairy on our Men’s kit for the next two seasons and excited to have them along for our journey,” she said via press release.

“Ferraro Dairy is a proud local business that strives for a common goal in driving high standards and delivering a premium product for its loyal clientele.

“We’re thrilled to kick off our partnership with Ferraro Dairy as we head into our 20th season as a Club.”

Ferraro Dairy General Manager, Brad Ferraro echoed the sentiment of excitement about the new partnership.

“It’s an honour to partner with a Club like Melbourne Victory in its historic 20th season and we’re proud to be featured on its iconic kit, we’re excited to be part of their journey and share in the success both on and off the field over the next two years,” Ferraro said via press release.

As Melbourne Victory continues to strengthen its commercial portfolio its partnership with an Australian-based family business, with Ferraro Dairy further solidifies its position as a supporter of local businesses.

This commitment suggests a strong foundation for what both parties hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship.

Football West secures $1m to boost female football in regional WA

Avatar
Image credit: Perth Glory website

Female football in regional Western Australia is set to receive a significant boost nearly $1 million investment from the Federal Government.

Football West has secured $997,339 through the Federal Government’s Play Our Way program, aimed at breaking down barriers for women and girls in sports and physical activities.

The Australian Government is providing $200 million for the Play Our Way program and this set of funding is the first of many for state football federations.

The program will run over 3 years from 2024–25 to 2026–27 with the money spread out to help provide safe, inclusive, quality and sustainable facilities, equipment and initiatives as well as help women and girls to remain involved in sport and physical activity for life.

The grant will fund Football West’s Our Game WA initiative, which focuses on two main components:

Leading Our Game: A new coaching course exclusively for women.

Growing Our Game: A series of initiatives designed to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women and girls in football.

Football West Manager – Female Football & Advocacy Tash Rigby expressed her excitement at the positive news for women’s players in WA.

“This is incredible news and we can do so much good for female football with this kind of investment,” she said via press release.

“Interest in female football right across the state is at an all-time high. We want to make it as easy as possible for women and girls to participate in our game and fulfil their potential, be it as players, coaches, match officials, and in any other capacity.

“It is extra special that the money will be invested in regional WA. Regional football is close to my heart –  I am from Margaret River and know the passion around the state for football.”

Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell extended on Rigby’s points by discussing the importance of this deal for regional women’s football.

“We are delighted to have been successful in our application and thank the Australian Government for supporting our proposal,” Harnwell said via press release.

“Our commitment to female football over the past decade is well documented and this grant will enable us to give more girls and women the opportunity to develop a love for the game.

“Regional football caters for around a quarter of our registrations and so it is great to invest funding of this kind across the State.

“We are currently hosting the 2024 Country Week carnival at Kingsway Reserve, which is our biggest celebration of regional football, so the timing of this announcement could not be better.”

This is fantastic news especially for regional football in general which is often neglected but remains one of the key factors in WA’s strong participation numbers in 2024.

Football West is creating a space that can help girls and women play in a safe, inclusive environment in an extremely inspiring time for women’s football in Australia.

More information on the Play Our Way Grant Opportunity can be found here.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend