AFL Outer East to assist clubs in post-COVID recovery

The AFL Outer East has announced it will be assisting clubs through post-COVID recovery by providing significant club and player discounts in 2021. 

In a move designed to support clubs and participants across the Outer East region in returning post-COVID 19, Outer East will pass on savings of $280,775 to participants and clubs in 2021.

Senior Clubs, depending on their total teams, will see savings between $5,000 and $7,500, while Junior and standalone Netball clubs will see savings of $1,500 and $2,000.

Savings to clubs will be $195,000, while the total amount saved by participants in 2021 will be $85,000, which includes the removal of the football player levy for 2021. The removal of the football player levy has been achieved through AFL Victoria support and funding.

A discount to the 2021 netball player levy will also be provided to all netball participants.

AFL Outer East Regional General Manager Aaron Bailey said it was an outstanding outcome for clubs.

“After what has been the most challenging year seen in community football, we are thrilled that we are able to provide significant support to our clubs and ease the financial burden next year,” Bailey said.

“There’s no doubt 2020 has been a testing and difficult year for the industry. It was important we provided relief for our clubs and participants. We can now move towards 2021 with excitement and anticipation about returning to competition in football and netball.”

Bailey also confirmed the AFL Outer East had successfully been able to navigate financially through 2020, retaining all staff and maintaining its financial position of 2019.

“This is an excellent result for the region and provides us a fantastic platform of stability and strength moving into what is a vital year for our clubs and competitions,” he said.

A focus for 2021 for the Outer East has been two-fold; easing the burden on volunteers, as well as providing more offerings for clubs through their fees and affiliation.

Two new partnerships, media partner Gameface and TidyHQ will see increased offerings for clubs in club administration and digital media.

2021 will see the introduction of full game stats for all senior football games, as well as match highlights for each game, a weekly footy/netball show, increased digital content for clubs, an online store for club orders and TidyHQ’s online administration package.

“We are excited about what our weekly digital content will look like in season 2021. Highlights of Senior games, full detailed stats of each game, plays of the week and interactive content we hope will really engage with the community,” Bailey said.

“The content available to clubs through the vision now will make it a really valuable tool to promote their club, sponsors, and community.”