The Sydney Swans will open applications for the returning Volkswagen Footy Assist program today, with a grants pool of $50,000 on offer for community AFL clubs around the country to share in.
This is the sixth time the Sydney Swans and Volkswagen have joined forces to deliver the Footy Assist program, which has seen Volkswagen boost their investment in grassroots football in 2020 to support local communities during this challenging time.
A total of eight grants will be on offer as part of the program, with community AFL clubs able to apply for two grants worth $10,00 each and six grants of $5,000 each to assist with club initiatives including facility improvements, new footballs, guernseys or training equipment.
Volkswagen Australia’s marketing communications manager Rowena Kanna said it was important for the car manufacturer to enhance the level of support the program offers in 2020 to assist community clubs hit hard by the bushfire crisis and COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a Major Partner of the Sydney Swans, Volkswagen is committed to helping grow the game of AFL nationally and the role local clubs play in nurturing future AFL talent is critical to this,” she said.
“We know that 2020 has been a devastating year for many, and so it was important to Volkswagen to further our support of grassroots football during this time.
“We’re thrilled we’re able to support local AFL communities in this way, and hope to see a number of clubs across the country apply for the program.”
In a first for the Footy Assist program, any member of a local AFL club will be able to nominate their club for the grant funding.
Sydney Swans defender Callum Mills encouraged footy clubs Australia-wide to apply for the program, with the increased grant funding offering huge potential benefits for the clubs lucky enough to win.
“My time at my local footy club was such an important part of how I got to play at the elite level today, and so it’s really exciting to see Volkswagen’s Footy Assist program help clubs in an even bigger way in 2020,” he said.
“A grant of $5,000 or $10,000 can make a huge difference to your average local club, and so if you think your club would benefit from this funding, make sure you apply!”
