The Telstra Footy Country Grants is designed to financially assist initiatives that can support Community Clubs affiliated to the AFL to strengthen the base and secure the future in three key strategic areas.

The Telstra Footy Country Grants is designed to financially assist initiatives that can support Community Clubs affiliated to the AFL to strengthen the base and secure the future in three key strategic areas:

- Grow and assist volunteer capacity.
- Grow and diversify participation.
- Improve club environments and experiences.

Whether it's upgrading to an electronic scoreboard, upskilling volunteers or introducing new initiatives to attract more participants, Telstra Footy Country Grants aims to provide tangible support for clubs and alleviate the challenges they may face.

Applications will open on Monday 2nd December 2024. The following dates will represent a cut off for when applications are considered. For example, if you were to miss Round 1, you can still apply; however, the outcome of your application won't be known until after the Round 2 closure date.

• Round 1:Monday 2nd December 2024 to 11:59pm (AEDT) Sunday 2nd February 2025
• Round 2:Monday 3rd February to 11:59pm (AEST) Thursday 3rd April 2025
• Round 3:Friday 4th April to 11:59pm (AEST) Sunday 25th May 2025
• Round 4:Monday 26th May 2025 to 5pm (AEST) Thursday 24th July 2025

Application outcomes will be provided via email, and you should expect to receive an update at:

• Round 1: Week of Monday 3rd March 2025
• Round 2: Week of Monday 5th May2025
• Round 3: Week of Monday 23rd June 2025
• Round 4: Week of Monday 18th August 2025

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

All Community Club's affiliated to the AFL can apply. This excludes VFL, SANFL and WAFL clubs.

What will not be funded?

• Facilities improvements or acquisitions other than those associated with new electronic scoreboards and behind the goal netting.  
• Payments for services provided by coaches, trainers, administrators, 3rd party presenters, 3rd party club development providers. 
• Costs associated with catering, facilities improvements or acquisitions, advertising or room hire. 
• iPads, iPhones, laptops and printers 
• Equipment for existing teams i.e new footballs, sports tape, water bottles, coaches vests etc 
• Costs for activities and/or programs currently offered by the club’s league, region, state body or the AFL. 
• Player payments or League competition fees. 
• Projects that require ongoing funding assistance or routine or cyclical maintenance works. 
• Retrospective funding for a project that commenced or has been completed more than three months ago.