PEGS SC Receives $5,000 Community Grant from Bendigo Bank

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Image Credit: One Nil Media

In a powerful show of support for local sport and women’s participation, Community Bank Keilor East – Bendigo Bank has awarded a $5,000 Community Grant to PEGS Soccer Club, allowing their senior women’s team to play for free in 2025.

The grant marks a revived partnership between PEGS SC and Bendigo Bank, following a long-standing relationship with the Strathmore branch that was paused during the pandemic.

“Originally, we had a partnership with them through their Strathmore branch in 2015 and 2016 for a few years, and then it disbanded over COVID,” explained PEGS SC President Chris Orlich. “This is the first year we’ve started back up with the Keilor East branch.”

Chris Orlich (Left) and Richard Lawrence (Right) from Community Bank Keilor East proudly announces the $5,000 community grant alongside PEGS SC, presenting the new senior women’s team jersey supported by Community Bank Keilor East. A big boost for grassroots sport and women’s football in 2025 Photo Credit: One Nil Media

The renewed collaboration reflects a shared commitment to fostering community, inclusion, and opportunity through grassroots sport.

“It was a massive help for our senior women’s team,” Orlich added. “We were able to get them to play for free, basically covered by Bendigo Bank. It’s a huge boost and shows how supporting the community and local business really makes a difference.”

At Community Bank Keilor East, giving back is a core value. As a community-owned bank, they return up to 50% of profits into local initiatives, including sport, education, and grassroots programs.

“Supporting women’s teams is not only aligned with our values of equity and inclusion, it’s an investment in the strength and future of our community,” said Zaina Kattan, Community Engagement Officer at Bendigo Bank Keilor East. “We’re especially passionate about backing local sporting clubs and are proud advocates of women in sport.”

The Keilor East branch recently marked a major milestone with the purchase of their long-time premises at 53 Wyong Street, where they’ve proudly operated for over 23 years. Backed by a dedicated team, including Business Development Manager Aggie Polifico and a committed board, the branch’s support goes beyond financial contributions.

The PEGS SC senior women’s team celebrates with Richard Lawrence from Community Bank Keilor East – Bendigo Bank after receiving a $5,000 grant to cover 2025 player fees, supporting inclusion and growth in grassroots football. Image Credit: One Nil Media

PEGS SC and other local groups also benefit from Bendigo Bank’s free Community Bus, which helps reduce travel costs and encourages broader participation in competitions and events.

With the grant now in place, PEGS SC’s senior women will take the field in 2025 free of player fees – helping remove barriers and build a stronger, more inclusive future for the sport.

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Football NSW announce price freeze for junior and youth players

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has announced a fee freeze for junior and youth community players in 2027, continuing its pledge to keep the game accessible for everyone across the state. 

In addition, senior players aged 19 and above will see their registration fee increase by just $1.50. Both junior and youth player fees will remain the same at $54.43, whilst senior members will pay $107.50.

The fee freeze highlights Football NSW’s commitment to keeping the game financially convenient for both players and families. 

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, said via Football NSW, “Football is the game of the people, and we recognise the importance of keeping participation accessible for families across our state. By freezing our registration fees for junior and youth players in 2027, we are continuing to support the next generation of footballers and help ensure that cost is not an unnecessary barrier to participation.”

The decision comes following similar price freezes at Football Queensland and Northern NSW Football in 2025. 

Despite the governing bodies acting separately, their unity on maintaining affordability throughout the game is a welcome sign. Managing to keep fees at an fair rate for families is a key component in sustaining grassroots football across the country.

“We have worked hard to manage the pressures facing the game, particularly around insurance, while ensuring Football NSW can continue to deliver the services and support our clubs, associations and participants expect,” said Tsatsimas. 

Despite the cost of living crisis, it is important that the game remains accessible for everyone. Football NSW have identified that even during tougher financial times, they can keep it that way. 

Through diligent financial handling, especially with care surrounding insurance and inflation (more of which can be read here), they are prioritising the game long-term over a short financial gain.

This fee freeze will directly impact the senior players and the families of younger members, too. The decision makes football not only more accessible, but provides more opportunities for players to strive for the highest levels of the game. 

Football Victoria demands more Victorian Government support amid grassroots boom

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Marlborough Street Reserve. Credit Football Victoria

Football Victoria is targeting Victorian Government funding for Glen Eira FC, in order to improve the club’s facilities and accommodate a recent surge in participation.

The interest and demand in football across Melbourne is ever growing, and Glen Eira FC is one such example.

Located in Melbourne’s inner south-east, the club has more than 1,100 players with nearly 95% of them aged 18 or under. In the suburb of Bentleigh alone, football participation has increased 18% alongside female engagement growing 76% in recent years.

However, at Marlborough Street Reserve, the conditions of the pitch – specifically during winter – can curb accessibility. Wet weather, non-stop usage and limited capacity make it difficult to accommodate all club members. This results in restricted training and playing opportunities.

Lachlan Cole, Football Victoria’s Head of Government Relations & Facilities, said via Football Victoria: “The story at Glen Eira FC is one we are seeing right across Victoria and specifically in Metropolitan Melbourne. Participation is growing, particularly among juniors, women and girls, but the infrastructure needed to support that growth is buckling under the weight of demand.”

To tackle this, both Football Victoria and Glen Eira FC want to convert the existing pitch to a synthetic surface and provide improved lighting for the ground. This would create a more reliable environment for players and support the growing demand for football in that community.

Speaking to Football Victoria, Glen Eira FC President Odilia Wijburg said, “A new sporting precinct with a synthetic pitch would be a game changer, providing year-round access, supporting participation growth and creating a lasting community asset that will benefit local families for generations.”

These issues are not exclusive to just Victoria, but are instead seen nation-wide. Football NSW recently pledged over AUD 200,000 to three amateur clubs to help upgrade their facilities and support the local communities.

Despite the increased interest in the game, the lack of reliable infrastructure, especially in grassroots football, leaves not only local areas without proper facilities, but creates a complicated road for young players hoping to navigate to the top of the game. 

Without the support of the Victorian Government, grassroots football could suffer an underwhelming fate. If the game is not supported from the bottom, the top might not reap the rewards of the next generation. And if that happens, alongside local communities, both the domestic leagues and the international team may suffer.

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