Telstra Footy Country Grants Drive Unprecedented Support and Growth Across Gippsland Football in 2025
28 August 2025
As the 2025 season heads into finals, AFL Gippsland is proud to highlight a year of unprecedented support and strategic investment in community football, spearheaded by the vital Telstra Footy Country Grants program. With over $90,000 awarded to 32 local clubs this year, pushing the two-year regional total past $160,000, these grants are just one pillar of a holistic strategy making a tangible difference across our clubs and communities.
AFL Gippsland Club Development Lead Nicole Bertuna emphasized the grassroots impact. “This funding supports the everyday moments that make community footy possible — volunteers who feel backed, kids who see themselves represented, and clubs that run more safely and smoothly,” Bertuna said. “The Telstra Footy Country Grants are helping Gippsland clubs turn good ideas into real outcomes, and we’re here to guide them step-by-step as they plan applications for the 2026 round.”
From new scoreboards and essential safety equipment to electronic point-of-sale systems and inclusive guernseys, the grants empower clubs like the brand-new Nilma Darnum Junior Football Club, which secured $10,000 to kickstart its program, ensuring local kids enjoy footy from day one.
2025: A Year of Dedicated Support for Gippsland Clubs
Beyond the Telstra Footy Country Grants, a detailed look at AFL Gippsland’s 2025 activity reveals a comprehensive commitment to the region:
On-the-Ground Engagement: Our dedicated Club Visit 2025 program ensures a direct presence in clubs across the region. From crucial consultations to community-building events like Clubs BBQs and supporting Thursday night dinners and Footy Forums, AFL Gippsland staff are on the ground, listening and supporting.
Female Football Boom: Gippsland is experiencing a remarkable surge in female participation, with approximately 2,000 female players in 2025 – a 14% increase. This growth is being actively nurtured by AFLW Community Camps featuring powerhouses like Collingwood, Hawthorn, and Melbourne, engaging communities and inspiring the next generation of stars.
Infrastructure for the Future: Significant Facility Upgrades are underway across the region, including crucial projects in Churchill, Drouin, Morwell, and Traralgon. These upgrades are vital for enhancing player experience and are specifically designed to support the burgeoning numbers in female football, ensuring our clubs have modern, inclusive facilities. The Gippsland Facilities Strategy is launching in September providing a roadmap for the region.
Nurturing Young Talent: Our Junior Football Clubs are always innovating, providing a foundation for future stars. The Youth Interleague Carnival was a hit this year, with a huge day of football and netball. The Gippsland Power talent program continues to identify and develop elite prospects, with satellite training sessions held across the region ensuring access for all aspiring players.
Driving Participation:AFL Participation School Visits and School Holiday Programs are actively engaging children across Gippsland, introducing them to the game and feeding into our strong junior club network. Yearly targets for participation were met on 28th September with a record number of 16,730 participants so far this year in Gippsland.
Increasing Retention: AFL Gippsland has worked alongside all Junior Leagues in 2025 in the development of a Gippsland Junior Retention Project aimed at increasing “good days at the footy” and seeing more kids want to play and stay in the game. For more information visit the Junior Football Retention Project webpage
See What’s Happening Near You!
Curious to see the scale of support and activity in your local area? We’ve compiled all this data into an interactive Google Map!
Click on the link below to explore the AFL Gippsland 2025 Activity Map and see the impact of our programs and grants near you!
AFL Gippsland remains committed to working closely with clubs as they plan for future applications, with the 2026 Telstra Footy Country Grants round expected to reopen in December. We encourage all interested clubs to begin project planning now and contact us for guidance.
