Three football teams with Hellenic heritage have become the recipients of the Growing Football Fund Community Grants, supported by CommBank. These teams include Darwin Olympic Sporting Club, Traralgon Olympians Soccer Club and Bayside Argonauts Football Club.
Education support for the development of female coaches, summer football programs and enhanced playing experiences will be just some of the benefits for women and girls as Football Australia celebrates the awarding of another round of the grants.
Hailing from across Australia, the 118 club and association recipients join the 121 beneficiaries from the inaugural round announced in March 2024 who are continuing to empower, support and encourage women and girls.
With 38% of recipients from regional areas, the grants will go to the heart of strengthening communities in providing tangible assistance to clubs and associations.
One club who will be making a difference is the Fairfield Bulls Football Club, who will be first time recipients of the Growing Football Community Grants. Founded in 1971 by Assyrian migrants, the Fairfield Bulls Football Club (Football NSW) are leading the charge in their Western Sydney region in advocate for female growth, development, and involvement.
Southern Districts Football Association Technical Director and former CommBank Matildas forward, Catherine Cannuli (cap #174), expressed her gratitude for the grant and explained how the funds would be invaluable for the female coaches at Fairfield Bulls Football Club.
“When I first started playing, there were few girls in the game and even fewer female coaches— this has always fuelled my motivation to improve equality and diversity in the game we love,” she said.
“For young girls, a female coach is a powerful role model, showing them that they belong in every part of the game and inspiring confidence, strength, and the belief that they, too, can lead.
“Through the Growing Football Community Grant, we are now in a position to send a group of female coaches to complete their ‘C’ Diploma Coaching Course. Their potential impact will be far-reaching as they not only shape the next generation of players but also future leaders in their communities.”
Football Australia General Manager of Women’s Football, Carlee Millikin, said all of the recipients’ submissions exhibited initiatives that would aid more growth for female participants in all areas of the sport.
“We are thrilled to see the clubs and associations that have been awarded the grants demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term investment in women and girls’ football within their communities that goes beyond the financial,” Millikin said.
“It means the Growing Football Fund can play its role to help supercharge their ambitions that result in positive outcomes for female participants. The wide breadth of projects is exciting, as it shows a deepening understanding of what is required to develop inclusive and safe environments.
“In partnership with CommBank, we have already seen great results from the round one clubs delivery of initiatives and look forward to witnessing how the latest cohort creates a lasting impact through their programs.”
CommBank’s General Manager of Brand, Sponsorship and Content Di Everett said: “We are so proud of what this fund has achieved so far, and congratulate the recipients of the Round Two grants.
“We are passionate about making community sport more accessible for all. These grants have enabled clubs across the country to assist coaches through training opportunities and support local families through an expansion of programs to drive participation for young women.”
The Round Two grants support a broad range of initiatives that will speak to the fund’s core purpose of providing increased access and opportunities for women and girls’ involvement in football throughout different areas in the game.
These include projects targeted at:
- supporting the education and development of female coaches through subsidising coach education;
- driving new participation opportunities by hosting ‘come and try’ days and summer football programs;
- offering holistic health workshops for women’s and youth teams including strength & conditioning workshops; and
- fostering a better participant experience for women and girls, by supporting female fitting uniforms and replacing white playing shorts.
