Football Federation Australia (FFA) has warmly welcomed today’s election commitments from Turnbull Coalition Government and the Labor Party that would provide benefits to the Australian football community.
A re-elected Turnbull Coalition Government would commit a further $60 million into the Sporting Schools Programme, including the broadening the programme to years 7 and 8.
The aim is to combat the significant ‘drop out’ in physical activity levels during what can often be a difficult and stressful time for children transitioning from primary to high school.
A Shorten Labor Government would provide $21 million in funding to the ABC to boost coverage of women’s sport, including the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The Labor funding would increase coverage of women’s sport on the ABC’s television and digital platforms by approximately 500 live hours over the next four years.
"FFA welcomes today’s election commitments, but urges both sides to increase funding to grassroots community football facilities,’ said FFA CEO David Gallop.
“In particular, female players wanting to play have to be turned away in many Australian communities because of poor facilities or a lack of facilities.
“It's important that sports funding takes a bottom-up as well as a top-down approach if young Australian female football players are to get the opportunities they deserve alongside their male counterparts."