Swisse Support Surge in Grassroots Football

The Northern Territory (22%) and Victoria (7%) have led the way with the biggest increase in clubs and there are now an additional 20,000 new players participating in Australia’s game in community football competitions.

To support the growing participation in grassroots footy, Swisse, as a major partner of the AFL and Hawthorn, has unveiled the new Swisse AFL Quality Club Program for 2014 at a special training session at Waverley Park between leading Hawks stars, as well as members of the gold-accredited clubs, Noble Park and St Peters.

The Swisse AFL Quality Club Program provides an opportunity for all community football clubs across Australia to achieve a minimum standard of club administration and governance, while recognising and rewarding clubs for achieving higher standards of excellence and success.

Find out more and register your club as a Swisse AFL Quality Club

The Swisse AFL Quality Club Program ensures that all community clubs are achieving an optimum standard of club administration to grow participation and funding opportunities.

This year, the AFL and Swisse are offering $50,000 worth of resources and equipment to community football clubs to clubs accredited in the Swisse AFL Quality Club Program.

This includes 50 iPads with 2014 AFL Live subscription for community football clubs that accredit or reaccredit in the Swisse AFL Quality Club Program between 1st January 2014 an

Win one of 50 iPads with 2014 AFL Live subscription for your club

All clubs who accredit or reaccredit at bronze, silver or gold level in the Swisse AFL Quality Club Program between 1st January 2014 and 1st July 2014 (12pm AEST) are eligible to submit 25 words or less on why their club would benefit from receiving an iPad with AFL Live subscription.  Eligible clubs must submit their entry via email to communitydevelopment@afl.com.au and include the following by 12pm (AEST) on 1st July 2014:

• Club Name:
• Contact Person:
• Contact Number:
• Why our club would benefit from receiving an iPad with 2014 AFL Live subscription (25 words or less):

The best 50 entries will receive and iPad with a 2014 AFL Live subscription.

Winners will  be announced by 12th July.

Download the competition terms and conditions

In addition, each new Gold accredited Swisse AFL Quality Club will receive a $1,500 equipment prize pack as a reward for their administrative excellence, while each Silver accredited Swisse AFL Quality Club will have the chance to receive Swisse-branded Sherrins every round.

Entry to the program is free and simple and takes only 15 minutes to complete an online assessment required to reach the entry-level Bronze standard.

Competencies required at this level include accredited coaches, trainers and compliance with the relevant childcare and safety standards.

Swisse CEO Radek Sali believes supporting grass roots footy and local clubs will ensure that Australian Football will remain the premier national code.

“Having played Aussie Rules and being involved in the community club system, I am acutely aware of the need for a solid base to support the sport from the grassroots up” said Mr. Sali. .

“We have been the official vitamin of the Australian Football League for many years, and are in our second year of sponsorship with the Hawthorn Football Club. We are thrilled to also be making a difference at a community level through the Swisse AFL Quality Club program,” he said.

Dorothy Hisgrove, GM for People, Community and Culture at the AFL, said raising the standard of grassroots clubs was imperative to the continued growth of community clubs around the country.

“Community based clubs are the cornerstone of Australian Football and strong clubs at the grassroots level means a strong game across the board.

“Grassroots football is in excellent health but there is always more that can be done to create welcoming, safe and secure environments for members of the community.

“The Swisse AFL Quality Club program raises the standard across a range key areas which is good for the game and good for the community.”

For more information on the 2014 Swisse AFL Quality Club program, and to register your club as a Swisse AFL Quality Club and to receive the immediate benefits, please click here.