Women & girls benefit from Toyota gear grant

Northern NSW has had five 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. The successful Northern NSW clubs are:

• Glen Innes Celts – to outfit the club’s Youth Girls team which will enter the inaugural competition in 2022.
• Gunnedah Bulldogs – to produce a commemorative jumper with a special theme, e.g. Indigenous Round.
• New England Nomads – produce women’s cut uniforms for their Senior women’s team.
• Northern Beaches Blues – uniforms for the Under 14 Youth Girls team that will enter the competition in its first season (2022).
• Tamworth Swans – uniforms for the Tamworth Roosters Youth Girls team that will enter the inaugural competition.

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.

Paul Taylor, Community Football Manager for Northern NSW, said Toyota’s support will make a significant contribution to the ongoing growth of female footy in the region.

“AFL is one of the fastest growing participation sports for girls and women across the country, and this is reflected in both AFL North West and AFL North Coast with both Leagues starting new Youth Girls competitions in 2022,” Taylor said.

“This incredible support from Toyota will help to ensure that clubs can keep registration costs low for girls and women, therefore removing one of the barriers to participation.

“Female teams add so many positive aspects to club culture, and we’re thrilled to see more and more women and girls flock to the sport at a local level.”

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.

“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.”