Grants and funding can make a big difference to any football club and with 2019 underway, now is the perfect time to start preparing those applications.
Recently, 14 Queensland football clubs and associations were approved for funding under Round 8 of the Get Playing Places and Spaces funding program.
Get Playing Places and Spaces aims to support sport and active recreation at the grassroots level through the development of facilities, encouraging more Queenslanders to get involved in the sport and active recreation activity of their choice.
The approved clubs and organisations received funding up to $150,000 to assist with the upgrading or construction of their facilities such as lighting, new and resurfacing of fields, new fencing, new seating and new change rooms and amenities blocks.
North Brisbane Football Club was one Queensland club to receive funding.
Club Treasurer Greg Vitulano describes the grant as a game changer, stating it will increase participation numbers by 60%, help with the club’s longer term economic viability, enhance the players’ experience and turn the facility into a valuable community asset.
“We are not just getting the playing surface updated but we are also getting a perimeter fence around it,” Vitulano said.
“It is actually very picturesque down here at Prentice Park. Once you see a quality pitch surrounded by good fencing then it will be recognised and rightly viewed as a great community asset.”
After recognising that their playing surface needed an update and not having the funds to do so, applying for grants seemed like the most economically viable way to receive these funds.
With the help of Football Queensland’s Infrastructure and Government Relations consultant David O’Leary, the club was able to apply for the Get Playing Places and Spaces grant.
“We are very grateful for David O’Leary’s assistance and advice throughout the process. He was a pivotal factor in terms of advising us in relation to grant strategy and building relationships with key members of parliament. He certainly helped us,” Vitulano said.
“It’s a difficult and time-consuming process but if you do it properly and you invest the time in the grant process the rewards will be there, and I think clubs should take advantage of the grants that are available.”
Brothers Townsville Football Club was another one of the Queensland clubs that received funding to install new lighting on their second pitch.
Stuart Gibson from Brothers was thrilled to have received the grant, knowing it will help the club in many ways.
“Having two pitches lit up at a time means the juniors don’t have to stop their training when the sun goes down, but will now be able to train later on into the night,” Gibson said.
Gibson said grants have improved their club to no end; with funds received through grants, Townsville Brothers FC have built carparks and haven’t had to pay for electricity over the past 10 years because of solar panels installed on their roof.
“If clubs aren’t applying for grants there is something really wrong. There is money out there,” Gibson advised.
“Just don’t give up – make sure you have done your research for grants, make sure you have someone who knows someone who can apply for grants and if they need support letters, make sure they get good support letters.
“The better your application is, the more chance you have of getting a grant.”
If your club is interested in taking advantage of the new year and looking at applying for funding and grants in 2019, please contact David O’Leary at Football Queensland on infrastructure@footballqueensland.com.au, who can give you information on funding and grants available as well as eligibility and the process involved.
Get Playing Places and Spaces approved Queensland Football Projects:
ALBANY CREEK EXCELSIORS FC INC: Upgrade Existing Lighting at Brendale – $81,994.00
ANNERLY RECREATION CLUB INC: Resurface two existing fields – $150,000.00
BALLANDEAN FOOTBALL CLUB INC: Upgrade Existing Lighting – $141,218.00
BRIBIE ISLAND FC INC: Upgrade Existing Lighting – $150,000.00
BRISBANE CITY FC LTD: Construct a New Field at Newmarket – $150,000.00
BROTHERS TOWNSVILLE FC INC: Install New Lighting – $150,000.00
CLAIRVAUX SOCCER CLUB INC: Resurface Playing Field – $106,099.00
FOOTBALL QLD – WIDE BAY LTD: Construct New Fencing and Team seating – $67,680.00
INNISFAIL UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB INC: Construct New Amenities Block – $139,748.00
KINGAROY SENIOR SOCCER CLUB INC: Construct New Change Rooms – $140,800.00
NORTH BRISBANE FC: Upgrade Playing Field – $137,916.00
PARK RIDGE PANTHERS INC: Upgrade Lighting – $150,000.00
PENINSULA & DISTRICT FOOTBALL & SPORTING CLUB: Upgrade Lighting – $150,000.00
RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB INC (MACKAY): Upgrade Lighting – $144,160.00
Total Amount Approved: $1,859,615.00
Words: Zoe Nilsen
