Thursday 27 February 2025

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced that five local sporting clubs in Northern Victoria are among seven facilities across Victoria to share in more than $1.4 million from the latest round of the Country Football and Netball Program.

The Cobram Scott Reserve Oval will be kicking more goals and growing its ranks with funding from the Allan Labor Government. The Cobram Scott Reserve Oval will receive $364,898 to upgrade lighting to 120 lux LED lighting on the oval including site preparation works, 6 new poles, remote light switching and a power supply upgrade.

Barnawartha Recreation Reserve will receive $349,474 to upgrade lighting to 100 lux LED lighting on the oval including site preparation works, 4 new poles, and upgraded power supply.

Milawa Football Netball Club Lighting will receive $320,884 to upgrade lighting to 130 lux LED lighting on the oval including site preparation works, 4 new poles, a 3-phase power supply upgrade and lawn restoration.

Rochester Football Netball Club will receive $132,000 for the resurfacing of five netball courts, from asphalt to acrylic including line marking for netball, replacing netball posts, netball rings and new padding. 

Southern Mallee Thunder Football Netball Club will receive $177,402 for upgrades to lighting to 200 lux LED lighting on the two netball courts including 6 new poles, dimmer controls for each court and an electrical on-site upgrade.

The Program is a partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria and has invested more than $41.5 million in over 580 country football and netball infrastructure projects since 2005.

It helps local councils replace and upgrade ageing grounds and facilities for football and netball clubs across rural and regional Victoria, because everyone deserves high-quality facilities no matter where they live.

Projects in the latest round include ground resurfacing, new ground and court lighting and the construction of new pavilions and netball courts.

The Victorian Budget 2024/25 is investing more than $23 million to continue delivery of community sports infrastructure and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility.

The 2025-26 Country Football Netball Program is now open with rural, regional and outer metropolitan councils eligible to apply for grants of up to $250,000 towards sports infrastructure developments including court and lighting upgrades, change room overhauls, new pavilions and more, to benefit local clubs and communities.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes acknowledged Moira Shire Council, Indigo Shire Council and Wangaratta City Council and their respective clubs for their significant contribution to the project and encouraged local clubs looking to develop their sports facilities to reach out to their councils with a new round of the program now open for applications.

Applications close on 7 July 2025.

For all the latest information including the latest successful grant recipients and how to apply visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“Footy and netball clubs are the heart and soul of Northern Victoria.”

“This boost will go a long way to helping clubs cater for the growing numbers of people keen to get involved in grassroots sport, providing more opportunities for locals to get active and play the sport they love.”