SIX South Coast Australian Football clubs, which were impacted by the summer bushfires, will share in more than $250,000 from the AFL's community relief fund.
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The Narooma Lions, Eden Whalers, Shoalhaven Giants, Bega Bombers, Pambula Panthers and Ulladulla Dockers, along with five sports clubs from South Australia, will benefit from the $254,514.37 donated by the AFL's governance committee.
This brings the total amount distributed from the AFL community relief fund so far to more than $2,795,571 million across 262 football clubs/leagues.
Adding the initial $1 million donation to the Australian Red Cross, the grand total so far distributed in support of bushfire relief is $3,795,571
The governance committee, chaired by Essendon Football Club president Lindsay Tanner, met on August 5 via video conference.
Applications for funding were received from community football clubs and leagues across NSW and South Australia.
"While our nation presently fights a different type of challenge, we must not forget the bushfires had a devastating effect on so many people in the community," Tanner said.
"Local football clubs are often the epicentre of towns and communities, and we hope our continued support through the rebuild and recovery provides some much-needed relief to the clubs, players and volunteers."
The five South Australian clubs are Nairne Bremer United Football Club, Gumeracha Football Club, Onkaparinga Valley Football Club, Birdwood Football Club and Southern Eagles Football Club.
The governance committee, which also contains Simone Wilkie AO (AFL commissioner), Andrew Dillon (AFL general counsel and GM game development), Tom Harley (CEO Sydney Swans), Paul Vandenbergh (director Aboriginal programs, Port Adelaide Football Club), Phil Davis (AFLPA vice-president, GWS Giants player) and Meg Downie (AFLPA board member, Melbourne Demons AFLW player), will now await further applications and meet again in November to review.
The AFL, its 18 clubs and AFL/AFLW players through the AFL Players' Association, announced earlier this year that a collective $8 million had been raised for bushfire relief.
The figure is comprised of:
- $2.5 million by the AFL, its 18 clubs and AFL/AFLW players through the AFL Players' Association.
- $3.9 million from the State of Origin double header event, fundraising collection points at AFLW matches and contributions by AFL corporate partners.
- $1.6 million in club led activities.