WA Football works with clubs, state and local governments and communities to create safe, inclusive and accessible facilities where everyone can enjoy the game, connect with others and feel part of something bigger.
The AFL Preferred Facility Guidelines are used by State and Territory Australian Football Controlling Bodies, Councils, Leagues, Clubs, Schools and associated stakeholders to inform the provision and development of appropriate facilities for community-level Australian Football venues.
The WA Football Strategic Facilities Plan sets a 10-year roadmap for developing and investing in football infrastructure across metropolitan and regional WA. It provides the principles and framework to guide future growth, address stakeholder needs, and prioritise statewide facility development.
WA Football has teamed with the AFL to develop the WA Football Facilities Fund, to create safer and more inclusive spaces for community sport venues where football is played. From elite to local grassroots venues, the fund will enhance facilities for all ages and all abilities.
The aim of the program is to:
Up to 10% of the total project cost is available through this fund, up to a maximum of $50,000.
The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) manage the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) to provide Western Australian Government financial assistance to community groups and local government authorities to develop basic infrastructure for sport and recreation.
The types of grants on offer include:
Furthermore, the Club Night Lights Program (CNLP) is another option for financial assistance to community groups and local governments to develop sports floodlighting infrastructure, and the Community Use of School Sporting Facilities Program (CUSSFP) encourages partnerships and agreements between schools and community sporting groups to better utilise existing sporting facilities.
The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) can assist Australian non-profit, incorporated and other eligible organisations such as the following with sport related projects:
The ASF can also offer a unique tax advantage to individuals, businesses and philanthropic donors that contribute to approved, registered projects.
PILA offers an annual Goalpost Subsidy Program.
The subsidy program is extended to all WA Football clubs and/or affiliations, including schools and councils, as approved by WA Football.
To be eligible for the Program:
TIER 1 : Applicable for 6m/3m – 10m/6.5m goalposts.
TIER 2 : Applicable for 12m/8m – 15m/10m goalposts.
Applications for 2026 open 1st August – 30th September.
The award aims to promote and celebrate the provision of well-positioned, welcoming, accessible, fit-for-purpose football facilities that support our growing game’s strategic priorities.
To be eligible, the project must have direct links and benefit to an Australian Rules Football club in Western Australia and should deliver one or more of the following WA Football Strategic Facility.
Nominations for the 2026 award are now open and close Sunday 6th September 2026.
The AFL Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Awards annually recognise best practise in community football facility development across Australia, along with the people, clubs and other stakeholders driving our best projects
In a decorated career across many areas of the code, Ken spent much of his last decade of his career developing the AFL’s interest and partnerships in the community facilities space, leading outcomes related to over 800 community football facility projects in that period.
Previous state winners/nominated facilities:
WA Football acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands across Western Australia where we train, play, and come together through football. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep and continuing contribution First Nations peoples make to our game and our communities.
