AFL Central West benefit from Toyota gear grant

The Bathurst Bushrangers Women's and Youth Girls teams will have new guernseys in 2022 following the announcement of their success via the Toyota Good for Footy Gear Grants. PHOTO: Contributed

AFL Central West has had two clubs benefit from the 2022 Toyota Good for Footy Gear Grant program.

For the third year running, Toyota is providing 100 female football teams around the country the funding required to supply new uniforms to players, making it more accessible for women and girls to play the game they love.

Successful recipient clubs receive a $1,600 grant. Twenty clubs across NSW and the ACT were successful in this year’s program, up from 14 in 2021, which included Bathurst Giants AFC.

Toyota has provided more than $420,000 of funding to community football clubs since the Toyota Good for Footy Gear Grant program was established in 2020, taking the total number of clubs to have benefitted to nearly 300 since its inception.

AFL Central West clubs successful in receiving funding included Bathurst Bushrangers ARFC and Dubbo Junior AFL. The Bushrangers will utilise the grant money to fund a new set of women’s guernseys of which haven’t been upgraded since 2017. Dubbo Junior AFL, meanwhile, are looking to kit their Youth Girls team out in female-cut guernseys.

Dubbo Junior AFL President Merinda Roll was ecstatic to hear of their club’ success.

“Being successful with the financial support from the Toyota Good for Footy Gear Grant has elated our club with such support in our ever-growing female participation.

“The contribution enables us to provide better fitting apparel for our female players who age from 10-17 years.”

READ: State-wide women’s talent search kicks off this weekend

Bathurst Bushrangers’ President was equally as thrilled to receive one of the grants.

“Female participation at the Bathurst Bushrangers AFL Club is going from strength to strength, and we are ecstatic to be a recipient of a Toyota ‘Good for Footy Gear’ grant in 2022.

“The Bathurst Bushrangers is an organisation with tremendous passion. As an AFL Central West foundation club, we were instrumental in establishing a women’s competition in this region and remain very proud of this.

“This package will make Australian Rules Football accessible to more female players, and, being fitted out in these brand new uniforms means so much to the entire playing group. Our thanks to Toyota and AFL NSW/ACT for their support.”

The announcement comes ahead of the AFLW Toyota Good for Footy Round, which celebrates Toyota’s significant contribution to Australian football from the grassroots to the elite level.

AFL Executive General Manager of Customer and Commercial, Kylie Rogers, said the AFL is pleased to recognise Toyota’s support of the women’s football with a dedicated round again this year.

“I would like to thank our longstanding partner, Toyota, whose support of football across all levels of the game continues to positively impact the entire football community,” Ms Rogers said.

“We are thrilled to bring to life the AFLW Toyota Good For Footy Round in round six of the competition, and celebrate the 100 community clubs who have received funding for new uniforms through the 2022 Toyota Good For Footy Gear Grant program.”

Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said Toyota was committed to supporting football at all levels, from grassroots clubs to elite competition, and making footy accessible for all.

READ: Dubbo to benefit from half a million dollars worth of government grants

“Female participation has grown exponentially in recent years, and it’s through the Good for Footy Gear Grants Program that we hope to inspire even more women and girls to get involved in this great game for years to come,” he said.

“Toyota is immensely proud to support female footy teams in supplying the right gear, and we’re delighted to announce the deserving recipients of the $1,600 grant during this year’s AFLW Toyota Good For Footy Round.”

AFL Central West clubs successful in receiving funding included Bathurst Bushrangers ARFC and Dubbo Junior AFL. The Bushrangers will utilise the grant money to fund a new set of women’s guernseys of which haven’t been upgraded since 2017. Dubbo Junior AFL, meanwhile, are looking to kit their Youth Girls team out in female-cut guernseys.

AFL Central West Competition & Development Coordinator, Casey White was grateful for Toyota’s support in facilitating this opportunity for the competition’s clubs.

“Toyota have been such strong advocates for grassroots sport and for them to assist another two of our clubs in 2022 with their Good for Footy Gear grant program is incredible.

“Both the Bushrangers and Dubbo Junior AFL will benefit greatly from this support particularly after the challenges associated with the past two seasons.”

 

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