The Telstra Footy Country Grants is designed to financially assist initiatives that can support Community Clubs affiliated to the AFL to strengthen the base and secure the future.

The Telstra Footy Country Grants three key strategic areas are:

• Grow and assist volunteer capacity.
• Grow and diversify participation.
• Improve club environments and experiences.

Whether it's upgrading to an electronic scoreboard, upskilling volunteers or introducing new initiatives to attract more participants, Telstra Footy Country Grants aims to provide tangible support for clubs and alleviate the challenges they may face.

Applications for Round 1 are now open and the following dates represent a cut-off for when applications are considered. For example, if you were to miss Round 1, you can still apply; however, the outcome of your application won't be known until after the Round 2 closure date.

• Round 1: Monday 1st December 2025 to 11:59pm (AEDT) Sunday 1st February 2026
• Round 2: Monday 2nd February to 11:59pm (AEST) Thursday 2nd April 2026
• Round 3: Friday 3rd April to 11:59pm (AEST) Sunday 24th May 2026
• Round 4: Monday 25th May to 5pm (AEST) Thursday 23rd July 2026

Application outcomes will be provided via email and you should expect to receive an update at:

• Round 1: Week of Monday 2nd March 2026
• Round 2: Week of Monday 4th May 2026
• Round 3: Week of Monday 22nd June 2026
• Round 4: Week of Monday 17th August 2026

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

All Community Club's affiliated to the AFL can apply. Excluded are VFL, VFLW, SANFL, SANFLW, WAFLW and WAFL clubs as well as umpiring groups.

What will not be funded?

• Facilities improvements or acquisitions other than those associated with new electronic scoreboards and behind the goal netting.  
• Payments for services provided by coaches, trainers, administrators, 3rd party presenters, 3rd party club development providers. 
• Costs associated with catering, facilities improvements or acquisitions, advertising or room hire. 
• iPads, iPhones, laptops and printers 
• Equipment for existing teams i.e new footballs, sports tape, water bottles, coaches vests etc 
• Costs for activities and/or programs currently offered by the club’s league, region, state body or the AFL. 
• Player payments or League competition fees. 
• Projects that require ongoing funding assistance or routine or cyclical maintenance works. 
• Retrospective funding for a project that commenced or has been completed more than three months ago.