Media Release

Four footy codes will unite to back Australia’s local footy clubs in need of support.

St.George Bank has announced and increased its commitment for the third year in a row to four codes across the nation, with $250,000 in funding via the St.George Bank Footy Grant Program to provide much-needed financial support to the grassroots football community.

It follows a difficult 12 months for local clubs hurt by COVID-19 as they have faced into added pressure such as registration costs, fundraising and participation in communities across Australia.

General Manager for St.George Bank, Ross Miller said: Local sporting clubs have been hit hard by social distancing restrictions and the uncertainty we’ve all felt through COVID-19, and more recently flooding across NSW and South-East Queensland.

“That’s why for 2021 we’ve extended the St.George Bank Footy Grants Program offering our biggest commitment yet of $250,000 in funding to ensure grassroots clubs and networks receive much-needed assistance to thrive.”

“We also hope our grants can assist to remove barriers in sport and encourage footy communities needing financial assistance to enable children with a physical or intellectual disability to apply – this is a great extension of our passion for all-abilities sport and our partnership with the Modified Rugby Program, a new, modified form of touch-only rugby, developed by GingerCloud Foundation.”

Melissa Doyle, Ambassador of the 2021 St.George Footy Grants Program said: “It’s been a challenging time for local clubs over the past 12 months. Being an ambassador for an initiative that helps our youngest players and local clubs play at their best during difficult times is something that is close to my heart.

“If your team, or a team you know could benefit from financial assistance, I encourage anyone in the community to nominate them for a grant from the St.George Footy Grant Program.”

St.George Bank’s strong history with Australian sport stems from being naming rights partner to the St.George-Illawarra Dragons women’s and men’s team as well as the St.George Queensland Reds women’s and men’s team.

St.George are also a sponsor to of Brisbane’s LGBTQI Rugby Team, The Hustlers, the newest partner to Sydney’s LGBTQI Rugby Team, Sydney Convicts, a sleeve sponsor to the GWS Giants, and major partner to the Brisbane Football Club, covering four codes of footy across Australia.

Players, families and friends of teams, coaches and volunteers are invited to apply or nominate for a grant that would help benefit their community on or off the field.

Applications and nominations are open from Wednesday 28 April until Wednesday, 9 June 2021. Nominations are open for QLD, NSW & ACT residents over the age of 13 years old who want to put forward an individual nomination or a registered local club they think would benefit from a St.George Footy Grant. Individuals and clubs are also welcome to self-nominate.

To nominate, apply or find out more information visit: stgeorge.com.au/footygrants

 

About the St.George Footy Grants Program

Applications and nominations are open Wednesday 28 April until Wednesday, 9 June 2021. and should outline how the grant funds would be of assistance throughout these challenging times. There is $250,000 available that will be allocated to these four codes of sporting communities around the country. Nominations are open for residents over the age of 13 years old who want to put forward an individual or registered local football club that they think would benefit from a St.George Footy Grant. Individuals and clubs are also welcomed to self-nominate.

Examples of the assistance that the St.George Footy Grants can support local teams, include:

• Registration fee support for those clubs who have families getting back on their feed in a COVID-19 environment
• New training equipment for when clubs reopen, balls, tackle bags, medical supplies for training purposes
• Group or one-on-one online coaching for individuals and teams
• Providing upgrades (small to large field or club house changes)
• Financial assistance for clubs who need part-time trainers, coaches or administrative support.