VFL clubs get funding boost after being hard hit by impact of COVID-19 in 2020

Struggling VFL clubs will get a massive cash injection to help keep them in business after they were hit hard by the cancelled 2020 season. See how much each team will receive.

The 2021 VFL season kicks off on April 17. Picture: Michael Klein

Hard hit stand-alone VFL clubs have been given a financial boost ahead of the 2021 season, with a new government support package set to provide almost $1 million of funding to clubs.

After the 2020 VFL season was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cash-strapped clubs have been offered the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $130,000 each.

Historic stand-alone clubs Williamstown, Coburg and Port Melbourne — as well as Frankston, Northern Bullants and Werribee — are all eligible for the travel and operations grants from the Victorian Government, which will be announced on Friday.

AFL-aligned VFL clubs Sandringham (St Kilda), Box Hill Hawks (Hawthorn) and Casey Demons (Melbourne) are eligible for grants of up to $65,000 as part of an overall $975,000 support package.

Port Melbourne, where Gary Ayres remains coach, is one of the VFL clubs in line for a funding boost. Picture: Getty

The grants for Victorian clubs come ahead of an expanded 2021 VFL competition, which will include teams from New South Wales and Queensland for the first time.

A total of 22 teams from across three states will take part in the VFL competition, which will run across 16 rounds kicking off on April 17.

Victorian sports Minister Martin Pakula said the funding would help strengthen stand-alone clubs after a tough 2020.

“Our VFL clubs were battered financially last year and that’s why it’s important that we support them as they confront the significant costs of playing in a multi-state competition and providing a COVIDSafe environment,” Pakula said.

“This new competition will help more players to reach the AFL and boost the standard of football for the many passionate fans who love to watch their teams play in the VFL.”

The funding was included as part of the 2020/21 Victorian Budget, through the Strengthening Victoria’s AFL Development Pathways Funding Program.