Media Statement | The AFL has re-launched the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) as part of the league’s commitment to community football in Victoria.
The SCIF program, originally launched in early 2020 but put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is available to community football clubs, leagues and regions across Victoria to apply for support funding.
The SCIF will provide grant funding of $1.5m per year for the next three years directly to local football leagues and clubs. The fund is part of the $18 million investment into Victorian community football announced by the AFL in September 2019, the largest investment in community football in the state in more than two decades.
Former Premier of Victoria Steve Bracks AC will Chair an independent Advisory Board. The Board will include representatives from across community football and will provide recommendations to the AFL to manage the allocation of funding.
AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said the fund will focus on supporting clubs in need to drive participation and ensure clubs are able to attract new players to their clubs, something that has taken on extra meaning after community football was mostly cancelled across Victoria in 2020.
Interested applicants should review the SCIF guidelines in detail to determine their project’s eligibility. Click here to view.
Applications are open and can be made via the online application form at the following link: https://aflvic.smartygrants.com.au/SCIF.