Football Australia is proud to announce the 2025/26 recipients of the Growing Football Community Grants, generously supported by CommBank, awarded to community clubs to support women and girls in football.
The Growing Football Community Grant program is designed to provide support to clubs and associations to aid women and girls' involvement in football. It also aims to enhance the quality of experiences for new and returning participants, support the education and development of community coaches, and foster inclusive and safe environments that encourage long-term engagement.
Since the launch of the Growing Football Fund in 2023, three rounds of Community Grants have now been awarded, supporting 297 clubs – including 93 across regional and remote communities, reinforcing the program’s commitment to expanding access and opportunity across the country.
The latest round of grant recipients will use their funding to deliver initiatives that attract, support and retain women and girls in football, creating lasting change across every level of the game. The grants will be used to help support “come and try” days, female-only programs, subsidised fees and female fitting uniforms to break down barriers and build belonging. They will also be investing in the next generation of coaches, referees and leaders through mentoring, education and development programs to empower women and girls to thrive on and off the field.
Among this year’s grant recipients is Broulee Stingrays Soccer Club, with plans to use the grant to develop female coaching pathways in the Eurobodalla region. Encouraging girls from the age of 14 to be involved, the club will subsidise coaching courses, including Foundations of Football. This will help to create a clear and supported pathway into coaching. By investing in development opportunities, the initiative not only empowers local women and girls to take on leadership roles within the sport but contributes to building an inclusive and sustainable football community from the grassroots level.
This sustained investment is a key contributor to Football Australia and CommBank’s ambitious goal of supporting 50,000 female participants by 2026.
Quote attributable to Football Australia Interim Chief Executive officer, Heather Garriock:
“We’re incredibly proud to see the Growing Football Fund continuing to make such a meaningful impact at the community level. These grants are not just about financial support - they’re about empowering clubs to create environments where women and girls feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to stay in the game.
“It’s particularly exciting to see so many regional clubs amongst this year’s recipients, reflecting our ongoing commitment to growing football opportunities in every corner of the country.
“Thanks to the support of CommBank, we’re helping to ensure that football truly is a sport for all, and we’re firmly on track to reach our target of supporting 50,000 female participants by 2026."
Quote attributable to Commonwealth Bank Group Executive, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Monique Macleod:
“We're proud to support grassroots football with the Growing Football Fund. This fund is all about giving more communities the chance to get involved, have a kick, and build a brighter future through football.
“CommBank has backed this grants program from day one, and it’s great to see how these grants are already making a real difference for women and girls by opening up more opportunities and helping them stay connected to the game.”
Click here to view a full list of Growing Football Community Grant recipients.
