Country Football and Netball Program

Program guidelines

A web page with fully accessible guidelines has been developed for this program.

To view it, please go to Country Football and Netball Program Guidelines.

PDF and accessible Word versions of the guidelines can be downloaded using the links below.

Eligible projects

Examples of projects eligible for funding include:

• developing new, or redeveloping existing change rooms and pavilions to increase capacity, inclusion and safety
• developing new, or redeveloping existing sports ovals and courts to increase capacity, inclusion and safety
• sports lighting that improves capacity, inclusion and safety. Lighting projects may include installing new LED lighting infrastructure, or replacing non-LED lighting with LED lamps to meet lighting standards
• projects that result in energy or water efficiency, with a direct impact on participation, such as warm-season grass conversions
• projects that benefit multi-use outcomes where football or netball is the primary beneficiary.

The program reflects the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions’ (DJSIR) priorities to ensure the state’s economy benefits all Victorians by creating more jobs for more people, building thriving places and regions, and nurturing inclusive communities.

For details on the program, including its objectives, grant amount available, and eligibility, please refer to the Program Guidelines.

Eligibility

Only Victorian Local Government Authorities (LGAs) are eligible to apply directly to the Program, limited to:

• rural and regional LGAs
• interface LGAs for facilities used by teams participating in leagues that are affiliated with an AFL Victoria Country League or a Netball Victoria Regional League or for facilities in areas where rurality can be demonstrated
• Frankston, Greater Dandenong and Kingston LGAs for facilities used by teams participating in an AFL Victoria Country League.

Applications must be submitted by an authorised representative of an LGA.

Applications received directly from clubs, associations, umpiring organisations, schools, community organisations and businesses will not be considered for funding.

Please read the Guidance Note Auspice Applications (PDF 306.42 KB) .

Application process

Local Government Authorities

LGAs must discuss potential applications with their Sport and Recreation Victoria contact to receive feedback on eligible projects before submitting application/s.

The application process will require the submission of an online application.

For further information on the application process and requirements for each stream, please refer to the Country Football and Netball Program Guidelines.

Clubs/local organisations

Regional Sports Assemblies, sport and recreation clubs, sporting associations and leagues, educational institutions, community organisations, disability service providers, businesses and individuals cannot directly apply to the Fund.

However, an Expression of Interest Form (for clubs) has been developed to help progress applications if LGAs wish to use this.

2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program – Community Organisations Expression of Interest Form (DOCX 127.96 KB) .

Local clubs and organisations are advised to contact their LGA if they wish to express interest, seek support, or be involved as a partner in applications to the fund.

Successful applications

Successful 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program applications will be announced from September 2025 onwards.

How to apply

Before to submitting any applications, please ensure you have read the Country Football and Netball Program Guidelines.

Please see  application templates below to assist you with application preparation. Once you have prepared your application, please start/submit your application via the online portal with the links below.

2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program – Application Template (DOCX 72.59 KB)

2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program – Supporting Document Checklist (DOCX 194.07 KB)

Start a new application

Return to saved application

Additional information

Forms and templates

For resources required for the Fund, please refer to the Program Guidelines. Additional fact sheets and supporting document templates can be found at project information – forms and templates page.

For a list of all required mandatory and desired documents to be submitted with your application/s please refer to the Program Guidelines.

For a list of all templates and fact sheets see the resources section.

Guides

These publications are intended for use as a guide only. Further specialist advice should be sought on the specifics of your project.

Some key guides include:

• Infrastructure Grants – Acknowledgement and Publicity Guidelines
• Design for Everyone Guide
• Female friendly sport infrastructure guidelines
• Community Consultation and amenity impacts (PDF 117.58 KB)
• Community Consultation and amenity impacts (DOCX 1333.02 KB)
• This Girl Can - Helping women and girls get active
• Healthy Choices Policy Guidelines for Sport and Recreation Centres (PDF 1185.95 KB)

For a list of all guides, please refer to our resources section.

Approved applicants

2024-25 Country Football and Netball Program – approved applications (DOCX 248.33 KB)

2023-2024 Country Football and Netball Program – approved applications (DOCX 320.09 KB)

2022-2023 Country Football and Netball Program – approved applications (DOCX 319.65 KB)

2021-2022 Country Football and Netball Program – approved applications (DOCX 428.29 KB)

Program area and assistance

Read more about Sport and Recreation Victoria.

For assistance with a project idea and/or an application contact your Sport and Recreation Victoria representative.

For more information about the Fund, please see the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

For general Sport and Recreation Victoria grant enquiries, please contact us.