Football Victoria welcomes funding from VicHealth

Liam Watson

Football Victoria has welcomed the news that VicHealth will be distributing funds to clubs and associations in Victoria, as they all continue to face the ongoing challenges related to COVID-19.

VicHealth’s latest round of Active Club Grant funding will see 16 Victorian football clubs and three associations being awarded a total of more than $65,000 in funding.

These grants are able to support grassroots clubs and to create new opportunities for the local community to get active, with Football Victoria encouraging more Victorians to get involved in the game.

VicHealth’s Active Club Grants continue to significantly add to the improvement of overall health in less active Victorians. The grants are designed to generate more opportunities for everyone to safely participate in sport. The particular focus is to include those people who may not have the same opportunities as others.

VicHealth targets all relevant areas of how Victorians can improve their health and wellbeing, including promoting healthy eating, encouraging regular physical activity, preventing tobacco use, preventing harm from alcohol and improving someone’s mental health.

Football Victoria has thanked VicHealth for their ongoing commitment and support to grassroots and congratulated each football club and association on becoming the latest recipients of VicHealth’s vital funds.

Unfortunately, club football activities have been postponed for at least six weeks as Victorian State Premier Daniel Andrews reimposed Stage 3 restrictions throughout metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire Council.

The restrictions came into effect at 11:59pm on Wednesday July 8 and activities such as matches, training, clinics and group practice must be halted in these sections of the state. Victorians can still do solitary exercise as one of just four reasons they should be leaving their home.

At this stage, football activities can continue away from the lockdown areas, but Football Victoria will closely monitor the situation to assess the next steps if the situation escalates.

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Community consultation opens for Ashburton’s Warner Reserve pavilion upgrade

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Image Credit: City of Boroondara

Community consultation has opened on the proposed redevelopment of the Warner Reserve pavilion in Ashburton. Early planning is underway to modernise the facility and improve amenities for local sporting clubs and community users.

The city of Boroondara has received $80,000 in Victorian Government funding to prepare concept designs. They will undertake community consultation as part of planning for the proposed upgrade.

While construction is currently scheduled for the 2032-33 financial year, the project could be brought forward if additional funding is secured.

The proposed redevelopment would see existing pavilion replaced with a modern facility better positioned to service the reserve. Plans include two new changerooms with toilets and showers, a multipurpose community space with a kitchen and canteen, a first aid room, umpire facilities, an externally accessible public toilet and a covered spectator viewing area.

The proposed new look pavilion at Warner Reserve. Image Credit: City of Boroondara

The concept also allows for the future addition of two extra changerooms, should participation levels continue to grow.

As part of the proposal, the existing playground would be relocated to improve visibility and open space within the reserve. Six trees identified for removal would also be replaced with new plantings elsewhere in Warner Reserve.

Residents, sporting clubs and reserve users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal before consultation closes on 15 September. Feedback will help refine the concept design before the project progresses to future planning and funding stages.

If delivered, the redevelopment is expected to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups while providing more inclusive amenities to support growing participation across community sport.

SBS confirms exclusive Australian rights to 2030 FIFA World Cup

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Editorial credit: kovop

SBS has officially secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australians will again be able to watch all 104 matches of the tournament live and free. The network will carry the tournament across television, video and radio and, as with 2026, all games will be streamed via SBS On Demand. 

The agreement was confirmed on 1 September, and will see the long-running partnership between the broadcaster and FIFA extend to 44 years. SBS first broadcast the World Cup 1986, when Argentina won the tournament in Mexico.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the World Cup remained central to the broadcaster’s role in Australian football, bringing Australians together across cultures, languages and communities.

The new deal follows a strong 2026 edition. More than 18 million Australians watched the coverage, while SBS also recorded more than 209 million hours of consumption across its World Cup content. Approximately 55 per cent of this consumption came via digital platforms. SBS offered full matches alongside shorter ‘mini match’ recaps through SBS On Demand.

First reporting that SBS and FIFA had extended their partnership emerged in July, although had remained unconfirmed until this point.

The latest announcement confirms that reporting. The earlier report also highlighted the importance of the deal for Australian football fans. SBS would retain a free-to-air pathway to every World Cup match. The deal also gives certainty around one of the biggest sporting properties in the world. This is particularly relevant as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino come under increased pressure.

The 2022 edition saw FIFA increase its valuation over broadcast rights, with key markets such as China having a price tag of $349 million ($250 million USD) from the governing body. For Australian football, the significance goes beyond the tournament itself.

The World Cup remains one of the sport’s biggest drivers of mainstream attention. Keeping every match live and free gives Australian fans continued access to the competition without a subscription barrier.

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