In a landmark display of solidarity, Australia’s football governing bodies have united to submit a joint, ambitious proposal to the government ahead of the next federal election, claiming that this proposal is crucial to ensuring the game’s survival.
The sport’s new national agenda, outlined in Securing Our Football Future, calls for more than $3 billion in funding at all governmental levels to cover urgent facilities improvements, grassroots growth, elite development, and Australia’s global aspirations.
The message is clear: without urgent and significant investment, football runs the risk of losing a generation of players at a time when participation in the sport is rising at an unprecedented rate in Australia, especially among women and girls.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth
At the centre of Football Australia’s recommendations is the urgent need to bridge the “change room facilities gap”, a rolling 10-year federal program totalling $1.56 billion. Despite football being one of the country’s most played club sports, many community facilities are still outdated, inaccessible, and unsuitable for the increasing number of female players.
Over the next five to ten years, the agenda also requests $1.2 billion from state, territory, and municipal governments to repair vital infrastructure, like drainage and lighting systems, which have been highlighted as significant obstacles to increasing participation in a safe and inclusive manner.
Other key proposals include:
- $50 million investment in a new national football headquarters to house both Football Australia and the Australian Professional Leagues
- Funding support for three new state football headquarters and upgrades to five existing ones
- Backing the redevelopment of Perry Park in Brisbane as a key football venue ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games
- $1 million seed funding for the launch of the Australian Championship, the long-awaited National Second Tier
- Strengthened support for sports diplomacy, international tournament bids, and social programs linked to football’s community impact
- Updates to regulatory frameworks, including visa categories for players, urban planning laws, and stadium policing standards
Grassroots Strain: Participation Outpacing Facilities
Following the Matildas’ historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, grassroots participation has skyrocketed across the nation. However, the infrastructure required to sustain this expansion has fallen dangerously behind.
More than 2,000 community facilities are required to be upgraded, according to a detailed national audit conducted by Football Australia and the state federations. Of these, 7,848 proposed projects were needed to satisfy “minimum standard” requirements.
Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, emphasised the urgency in New South Wales, where football has the greatest participation rates of any sport.
“Football is the most popular sport in New South Wales, yet many facilities are outdated. Investment in modern fields, lighting, and female-friendly amenities is essential to support our growing football community. Government funding will ensure safe, inclusive spaces for all players, driving participation and talent development,” he said via Securing Our Football Future.
The challenge is even more acute in Victoria, a state that is experiencing rapid population expansion in suburban corridors.
Football Victoria Acting CEO, Dan Birrell, warned that without immediate investment, the sport risks losing young players.
“Children are being turned away due to a lack of suitable playing fields and facilities. Government investment in modern, accessible pitches and club infrastructure is essential to creating more opportunities for children, fostering community connections, and ensuring football remains inclusive and accessible for all,” he said via Securing Our Football Future.
Strengthening the Domestic and International Game
The Securing Our Football Future agenda goes beyond community football to focus on the game’s larger ecosystem, from strengthening Australia’s standing on the international football scene to expanding the A-League.
In order to assist the league’s expansion and stability, key professional clubs, including Macarthur FC, Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers, and Perth Glory, have all pushed for regulatory changes. These include reforms to high-performance funding, simplified visa categories for foreign athletes, and urban development plans to promote improved access to stadiums and training facilities.
APL, Executive Chair, the Hon. Stephen Conroy, highlighted the importance of building on the momentum of the A-Leagues in showcasing local and international talent.
“Football infrastructure, facilities and stadia are not keeping pace with the huge grassroots participation, and the growing pathways and professional game in Australia. It’s hoped this initiative will help unlock the investment the participation base and potential of the game deserves,” he said via Securing Our Football Future.
Meanwhile, the establishment of the Australian Championship — a brand-new National Second Tier league — is seen as a vital component that will provide a direct pathway between grassroots and professional football.
At the elite level, continued support for the Subway Socceroos and CommBank Matildas is still essential, as is deliberate funding for initiatives like Bridge to the World, which aim to give Australian players additional opportunities abroad.
A Critical Moment
Although several members of the football community applauded the federal government’s recent $200 million grants program called Play Our Way, leaders contend that, especially considering the size of the participation surge, it does not adequately address the urgent needs of grassroots infrastructure.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson emphasised that the sport’s rapid growth must be matched by urgent infrastructure investment.
“Our surge in participation has put football at a tipping point where our growth is outpacing our infrastructure. All levels of government need to act to address the facilities gap to give grassroots players an opportunity to participate and support our current and emerging talent to compete on the world stage,” he said via Securing Our Football Future.
The message from football’s unified leadership is straightforward: the sport’s current momentum, which is based on generational accomplishments, runs the risk of halting without immediate, significant investment.
Securing Our Football Future provides a road map for not just preserving the game but also fulfilling its full potential as Australia’s inclusive, diverse, and grassroots global sport.
The time to act is now.
To read through the full Securing Our Football Future 2025 policy proposals, click here.
