The club, also known as Shepparton Swans, was successful in obtaining a grant through the Toyota Good for Footy Gear Grants Program, which provides eligible female football teams across Australia with up to $1600 in funding for new jumpers and shorts to support the on-going growth of female football.
Before the funding, the team wore jumpers that had been borrowed from the club’s under-16 boys side when playing a handful of matches at the end of last year.
But as it heads into its first Youth Girls season, it will have new jumpers to mark the occasion.
League president Mark Lambourn said it was important to continue developing the women's game at a regional level.
“Anything we can do, in any way, shape or form to support clubs getting funding or updating jumpers and getting new jumpers is fantastic,” Lambourn said.
“We need that to continue to promote sport in our region.”
AFL executive general manager of customer and commercial Kylie Rogers said Toyota’s unwavering support of grassroots football across the country had been vital in ensuring more Australians could enjoy the game.
“I would like to thank our premier partner, Toyota, whose enduring support of the AFL, from the grassroots to the elite game, continues to positively impact the football community,” Rogers said.
“The rapid growth of female football experienced across the country over the last five years has been significant, so we’re thrilled Toyota’s Good for Footy Gear Grants Program can support the delivery of female specific uniforms, so that more women and girls feel confident playing our game.”
Toyota ambassador and Richmond AFLW captain Katie Brennan said the Toyota Good for Footy Gear Grants Program was incredibly important.
“The impact the Toyota Good for Footy Gear Grants Program has had within community football is incredible,” Brennan said.
“I can remember running around as a young girl playing football in oversized men’s jumpers, so it’s fantastic for this initiative to continue in 2021 and support the AFLW stars of tomorrow.”
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