Play Our Way program promises more important funding for women’s football

Avatar
Image via PxHere

The Australian Federal Government is accepting applications for its Play Our Way program, a $200 million initiative to provide better facilities and resources for girls’ and women’s sport.

The total funds will be spread over a three year period – 2024-2025 to 2026-2027 – in what is expected to be a round-by-round process.

The program replicates the funding stream approach similar to the NSW State Government’s Football Legacy Fund, and SA State Government’s Power of Her fund, offering one stream for facilities & infrastructure, and the other for programs and equipment.

In a recent statement, the Government outlined who is eligible to apply for funding, and what those successful will be expected to achieve.

Program applicants include:

  • Local governments
  • Community organisations
  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Sporting organisations

If successful, the above entities will be expected to:

  • Provide safe, inclusive, quality and sustainable facilities, equipment and initiatives.
  • Help women and girls to remain involved in sport and physical activity for life.

The fund’s overarching purpose is to bridge the gap in physical activity participation between men and women.

However, it is important to note that none of these funds are quarantined for football purposes, despite the fund’s announcement against the backdrop of Matildas and Australian football success in August, 2023.

Whilst the overriding good nature of the program is indisputable, football clubs and communities will need to roll their sleeves up to secure funds that the game rightfully deserves for surging demand.

New South Wales and Western Australia have already set new records in girls’ and women’s football registrations this year, illustrating why football needs more funding at grassroots level to guarantee a positive experience.

Importantly, a webinar will be held on March 22 (today) so that potential applicants can ascertain a greater understanding of the fund and the application process. The registration link for this webinar can be found at the bottom of this article.

The NSW Football Legacy Fund is evidence of what funding can do for football in local communities, and with South Australia opening the Power of Her fund alongside the Federal Government’s Play Our Way program, there is currently no shortage of opportunities for football to expand in 2024 and beyond.

Play Our Way program applications opened on March 18, and will close at 2pm (AEST) on April 29.

Play Our Way webinar registration link

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/webinars/play-our-way-program-grant-opportunity-guidelines

For further details and questions

Full details are available on https://help.grants.gov.au/.

All questions about the program should be directed to Grant.Atm@health.gov.au.

Melbourne City give back to local primary school

Avatar
Image credit: Melbourne City website

Melbourne City’s charity, City in the Community (CITC), has donated new football goals to Barton Primary School in Cranbourne West as part of the club’s Healthy Goals initiative.

The program encourages more young people to play football to promote physical health and gain important social, emotional and cognitive skills that will help their overall development and well-being.

There are three core initiatives that the CITC are focusing on this year:

  • Supporting local schools with facility improvements to ensure more young people can access our free football programming from CITC.
  • Supporting community groups and clubs with equipment upgrades and free football programming from CITC.
  • Working with local artists to commemorate art and football projects, celebrating community pride, and cultural heritage while creating a visually appealing environment for the local community.

This most recent contribution towards Barton Primary School aligns with the first core initiative to support local schools, with Melbourne City players Laura Hughes and Alessandro Lopane attending to talk to the kids.

For the past three years, CITC has been involved with the Cranbourne West Primary School taking part in initiatives such as walking football, inviting students to become player mascots as well as player visits.

CITC’s Community Program Lead, Stephen Frantzeskakis talked about their recent contribution and how the club are continuing to create a positive impact on the community.

“I think it’s fantastic that we’re able to continue supporting Barton Primary School and its students through the Healthy Goals initiative, especially given their strong interest and ongoing passion for football,” he said in a media release on the club’s website,” he said via club release statement.

“We’ve been working with Barton Primary School for a number of years now and have also recently run our respectful relationships program with Grade 5 and 6 students.

“To have strong role models like Ale and Laura come down to speak to students about topics like respect and resilience is terrific, and it’s great to be able to extend our partnership through the donation of new goals as well.”

Barton Primary School Principal, Benjamin Vevers talked about the school’s partnership with Melbourne City and how it’s helping its students.

“Given many of our students were born or have parents and families from other countries, the school is truly passionate about the world game and having new goals means our kids get to fully experience a quality soccer match every recess and lunch,” he said via press release.

“It was a memorable experience that may inspire some of our students to reach for the stars with football, maybe even the Brisbane Olympics!

“Our students are learning to be more respectful of each other during competitive sport, girls are becoming more active during breaks playing soccer, and students are super excited each week for the program.”

It’s important to have these types of initiatives to allow clubs and their players to connect with their local community. We’ve seen these gestures throughout the years from the A-League clubs by continuing to show their commitment to support their local community whether that’s giving back through donations or providing programs to steer young people in the right direction.

Ned Morris to step down as Adelaide United chair

Avatar
Image credit: PxHere website

Adelaide United have confirmed that Ned Morris will step down as chair after a mutual agreement and will continue in an advisory role with the club.

Morris spent 18 months in the role and Adelaide United has stated they will carefully evaluate the future of the chair position, making sure it aligns with their long-term goals.

Morris and the club have acknowledged that there will be significant challenges along the way, with the internal restructure now complete.

In addition, Adelaide United felt the time was right for a shift towards a local South Australian approach.

Morris reflected on his time serving as chair at Adelaide United and said he is still ready to show the club’s full support:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 18 months working closely with the United family on behalf of Australia’s best A-League fans, the Reds,” he said in a media release on the club’s website.

“I am very confident that we have put in place the right vision, strategy, and key personnel to see the Club achieve ultimate success in the very near future.

“I remain committed to working with Adelaide United in an advisory role and look forward to supporting our men’s and women’s teams ahead of the 2024-25 season.”

Major shareholder and ownership representative at Adelaide United, Cor Adriannse, said about Morris’ contribution to the club:

“We have greatly enjoyed working with Ned over the last 18 months. He has been a tremendous asset to the Club, especially in navigating the difficult post-COVID phase for both the Club and the league,” he said in a media release on the club’s website.

“We deeply appreciate the improvements he has driven alongside our management team. Ned will always remain connected to the Club, and we intend to continue working together in one capacity or another.”

Throughout Morris’ tenure, he drove key developments such as the high-performance program investment strategy, establishing a global partnership with Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven and appointing Ernest Faber as Technical Director in May this year.

He also expanded the Youth Football Scholarships, renegotiated a five-year tenancy at Coopers Stadium and successfully approved several government funding grants.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend