NSW Football Scores Big with Local Sport Grants
The Local Sport Grant Program aims to provide support for grassroots sporting clubs, aiming to boost participation, host events, improve access, and upgrade sport and recreation facilities.
With a total of $4.65 million up for grabs in this round, each electorate had access to $50,000, with individual projects eligible for grants of up to $20,000.
In NSW, the impact of this initiative on football is significant, with over $669,000 allocated directly to the sport. This funding spans participation programs, infrastructure enhancements, and more, reaching both metropolitan and regional areas.
Various Football NSW associations have reaped considerable benefits from the fund, with over $550,000 allocated to them. Among these, Southern Districts Soccer Football Association (SDSFA), Granville District Soccer Football Association (GDSFA) and Football Canterbury stand out as major beneficiaries.
SDSFA clubs secured approval for eight grants, totalling over $76,000, aimed at reducing the cost barrier to football participation and enhancing the training environment through specialised equipment, coaching courses, and apparel.
Our oldest football association in NSW, GDSFA received over $68,000 across four projects. Parramatta Eagles FC, Granville Waratah Soccer FC and Regents Park Saints FC all received the maximum amount of $20,000 ranging from equipment to female programs to help cater for the spike in female football this year post the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Female football is bursting at the seams following the World Cup, with female player participation up 17% year to date.
Football Canterbury clubs also received a substantial sum of over $48,000, reflecting the region’s high participation rates and commitment to catering to diverse participants. The majority of successful grant applications focus on program-based initiatives, providing accessible pathways to football for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Registrations in Football Canterbury are booming, with the association seeing a 10% increase in participation from season 2023, with over 19,400 participants registered in 2024.
Daniel Ristic, Manager of Government Relations, Funding & Infrastructure at Football NSW, emphasised the significance of this funding.
“The Local Sport Grant Program offers football clubs considerable flexibility, enabling them to seek funding for a wide range of needs, including programs, essential equipment, and minor infrastructure projects.
“We thank the government once again for this ongoing funding, this program truly does a make a difference to local grassroots clubs across NSW each and every year.”
The list of all successful applicants can be found here – Local Sport Grant Program
For a list of current grants available that can benefit clubs, associations and councils, please follow this link – Grants And Funding
