The Hon Anika Wells MP

Minister for Aged Care

Minister for Sport 

The Hon Kristy McBain

Member for Eden-Monaro

Women and girls in the Snowy Monaro will find it easier and more enjoyable to play sport as a result of a $66,000 grant to the Southern Cats Football Club.

The Southern Cats Football Club has been selected to receive the funding under the Australian Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program, which is designed to remove barriers to women and girls participating in sport and physical activity.

The club is committed to fielding a women’s team in the AFL Canberra Community Women's Division in 2025 – and will using the funding to reduce the participation barriers to build team numbers. The grant will enable the club to advertise the program, purchase much-needed equipment and provide apparel to female players.

By reducing the participation barriers, this funding will open the door for more women to play AFL, as well as increasing female representation at the board and coaching level. 

The Southern Cats Football club is one of the many groups around the nation which will receive Play Our Way funding for participation programs, or new or modified equipment suitable for women and girls across a range of sports and physical activity programs.

More than 660 applications for funding were received. Funding is being offered to initiatives nationwide, with a focus on women and girls who face additional barriers to participation. This includes First Nations women and girls, women and girls with disability or who are from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Assessment of applications under the facilities stream of the Play Our Way Grant Program to support construction of new and modified sporting facilities, playing areas and spaces, is still in progress.

More information on the Play Our Way Grant Opportunity can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/play-our-way-program

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“Play Our way is all about creating greater opportunities for women and girls to have an equal chance to get the fun, satisfaction, and health benefits sport offers.

“The huge response to this grant opportunity, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:

“This funding will be a game-changer for the Southern Cats, paving the way for the establishment of a women’s team.

“Girls and women across the Snowy Monaro will have the opportunity to participate in a sport they love thanks to this Australian Government funding.

“A local football team isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about fostering a stronger community off the field too.

“I’m so proud to be delivering this funding – congratulations to the Southern Cats for its successful application for this grant.”