WE welcome the recent government announcement to compensate clubs for irrecoverable costs greater than $2000 associated with the cancellation or postponement of sporting events.
I am more than hopeful our clubs can access these funds. Usually these grants are difficult to obtain and an impost on volunteers applying for them. There will be long-term effects of extended lockdowns and clubs provide a proven outlet to assist individuals and families.
The past 18 months have been financially difficult – not just for our member clubs – but also the league. The league relies on the final series for the majority of its income and unlike other areas does not get allocated funding for overall participant numbers by AFL Victoria. The overall support from AFL Victoria has been underwhelming to say the least, I don’t think we have once been asked how are we are going? That being said, luckily we now have an enthusiastic and competent AFL Victoria participation co-ordinator who has made a positive impact in local schools.
Obviously, we had no competition last year and we have been mindful in not following the lead of other AFL Vic Regional Administration Centre’s where they rely on selling merchandise (affecting local businesses), running council facilities for income, but have high wages and expenses. Our overall league aim is to reduce the cost to our clubs and strain on volunteers, but to continue to support club infrastructure improvements. We have guaranteed a $50,000 commitment to the Mildura Sports Precinct outdoor netball courts.
Traditionally, we have been mindful to not approach local business sponsors who have existing club agreements.
The league lost its major sponsor (Ramsey Health) but was lucky enough for McDonald’s and G1 Logistics to come on board at a reduced amount. What they have provided individual clubs has been sensational, and the overall 2021 commitment has been close to $100,000.
We are hopeful that the success of the season so far has enabled clubs to gather a healthy bank balance to cover their ever-increasing expenses. More pleasing is the hearsay many senior footballers are willing to play for the love of the game for the remaining of the season if it can be facilitated. There us no doubt the next couple of weeks will be difficult restarting the season, and hopefully the window of opportunity allows the season a normal completion.
None of us know what COVID restrictions we will face over the next months or so, but if we cannot move back to some community normality, I envisage the whole landscape of sport in our region will dramatically change.
– Paul Matheson,
SFNL president
