Aboriginal Affairs NSW releases a grant promoting sports

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Image Credit: NSW Government

New South Wales to release a 2026 NAIDOC Grants Program promoted by the Aboriginal Affairs NSW. Aiming to encourage the development of sporting and cultural events in Aboriginal community living in the Premier state.

The NAIDOC standing for The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee aims to celebrate and honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements.

Applications have opened on the 9th of February and will be closing on the 22nd of March 2026. Amounts vary between $1000 to $5000 according to the size of the community and dimension of the project. These grants must be invested in projects taking place between the 1ST of July 2026 and must be completed before 31st of October.

In 2026, it’s $3 million dollars that were invested across three major sectors to support aboriginal communities. Education is one of the sectors that this investment aims to tackle. Up to $1.500 per community can be offered to improve Educational Institutions. Other grants invested on a small or large scale very from $10 000 to $25 000.

Overweight including obesity was the second leading contributor to fatal burden among aboriginal Australians representing 15% of all deaths.

This program aims to support any Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO). Unincorporated Aboriginal group in a current agreement with an eligible organisation as well as a not-for-profit organisation incorporated under the relevant State or Federal legislation and able to demonstrate the delivery of culturally safe projects in collaboration with Aboriginal organisations and/or communities may also be eligible for the grant.

Aligning with the idea of promoting cultural events and sporting activities, the grant covers the purchase of art or cratering supplies as well as payment of artists, Elders or workshop facilitators. Lastly, it allows aboriginal communities to reduce fees for venues or equipment for the purpose of organising events or activities.

This kind of initiatives may inspire other states to provide more support to aboriginal communities across Australia.

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Northern Motor Group joins FV as Official Automotive Partner

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Image credit: Football Victoria

In an announcement made last week, Football Victoria (FV) announced the Bundoora-based company as its Official Automotive Partner for the next three years, ushering in a new partnership driven by local identity.

Built in Victoria

The alliance betwen FV and Northern Motor Group stands as the latest locally-backed partnership in Victoria’s football landscape.

Furthermore, FV Executive Manager of Commercial, Chris Speldewinde, outlined why a connection with Northern Motor Group is an exciting step forward for the organisation.

“Northern Motor Group are one of the biggest and most respected automotive businesses in Melbourne and we look forward to working with them as our official automotive partner,” Speldewinde explained.

“It’s been an exciting offseason here at FV, with several key partnership signings coming on-board, and we are thrilled to welcome Northern Motor Group to the family.”

This season, partnerships within the Football Victoria pyramid have highlighted immense support from local businesses. With shared identity, values and commitment to the community, partnerships like this are set-up for success.

 

What the partnership will bring

The three-year partnership will look to provide Melbournians and FV staff with a range of benefits, from vehicle access to offers including:

  • 2-years free servicing
  • $500 cash back
  • $500 worth of accessories

Thus, the partnership will look to help locals and participants across FV, reflecting both parties commitment to giving back to the community.

“As enormous supporters of football in Victoria, signing on as Football Victoria’s official automotive partner is something we are very proud of,” said Northern Motor Group Dealer Principal, Nick Soklev.

“For over 40 years, we have been helping Melbournians find the car that is right for them, and we look forward to welcoming he Victorian football community to our dealerships.”

 

Final thoughts

Helping the community, providing exceptional service and creating a welcoming environment – the common values shared by both parties.

For FV and all its participants, Northern Motor Group can be the driving factor which propels football in Victoria to new standards in the years to come.

Football NSW Expands Flexible Football Program as Women’s Participation Surges

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Football NSW has expanded its Flexible Football Initiatives program into six additional associations in 2026, building on a successful pilot year that demonstrated measurable demand for shorter, more accessible formats among women and girls across the state.

The program, a key pillar of the NSW Football Legacy Program funded by the NSW Office of Sport, offers casual tournaments and abbreviated competitions designed to fit around the schedules of women who may not be able to commit to the structure of a traditional 90-minute outdoor winter season. The participation data supports the premise: women currently make up 33 percent of summer football participants compared to 26 percent in outdoor winter football, representing a gap that points directly to the role format flexibility plays in driving female engagement with the game.

First piloted in 2025 in partnership with Football Canterbury, Northern Suburbs Football Association, Macarthur Football Association and Hills Football, the program has now expanded to ten associations across NSW following strong results in its inaugural year.

“Flexible Football gives women more ways to get involved, whether through shorter games or casual competitions,” said Football NSW Female Football Coordinator Emma Griffin. “It’s about making football easier to access and helping more women enjoy playing.”

The structural logic is straightforward. Barriers to participation in women’s sport are rarely about interest, but rather are about time, cost, geography and the degree to which formal competition structures accommodate the realities of women’s lives. A program that removes the requirement to commit to a full winter season lowers the threshold at the point where many women disengage.

The initiative sits within a broader national picture of sustained growth in women’s football, with participation numbers at record levels following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup currently underway in Australia.

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