Money needed for Heat program to continue
The summer of 2023/24 saw the Northern Heat Development Program expand to include a girls group.
AN 11th hour search has begun to help fill a funding shortfall for the highly vaunted Northern Heat Development Program.
If a sponsor or an alternative form of funding to the tune of $3000 isn’t found, this summer’s Northern Heat program is in serious danger of not going ahead.
The situation has arisen after a major financial backer of the Northern Heat advised the AFL North Coast last week that it has decided to withdraw its funding from the program.
The funding the financial backer has provided in the past has been used to both keep costs for parents of Heat participants down to a minimum and compensate the program’s coaches for their travel expenses.
The program which has been running for six years provides a first insight for the region’s best players in the Under 15 and Under 16 age groups into high-level training programs as well as the benefits of proper nutrition, hydration and post-exercise recovery methods.
Last summer the program expanded to include a girls program for the first time.
If the program is unable to go ahead it will no doubt disappoint the talented players born in 2008 and 2009 who would be eligible to trial for this summer’s program.
Brad Greenshields, the Community Football & Competition Manager – Northern NSW, said the timing of the funding withdrawal has created an incredible challenge.
“Being advised of the decision little more than a month out from when trials for the Heat are planned to be held leaves the region with very little time to find an alternative source of funding for the program,” Greenshields said.
“The search is now on for somebody who can step forward and provide a similar level of support for the Northern Heat and save the program.”
If a sponsor for the program can commit to the Northern Heat program, the company will receive:
- Company logo emblazoned across the front of the Northern Heat training shirts;
- Company logo placed on North Coast Force representative team clothing;
- Company logo placed on footballs used during the AFL North Coast and AFL North West representative matches and Grand Finals;
- A hyper link with your company logo placed on the AFL North Coast website;
- Your business presented with a ball that features the logo for display at your premises;
- Promotion of your business on all AFL North Coast social media platforms.
Prospective sponsors can contact Greenshields on 0407 228 124 or at brad.greenshields@afl.com.au.
