Guidance for Victorian Football Clubs in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
Grant Funding – Business Support Fund Expansion

The Victorian Government has reinstated Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from 8 July 2020 to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.

Football clubs within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire affected by these restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5,000 grant under the Business Support Fund - Expansion program. This program is in addition to the first round of the Business Support Fund, which closed on 1 June 2020.

Football Victoria (FV) has reviewed the Guidelines and put together the following guidance to assist clubs that wish to apply for this financial assistance. While we hope that this guidance will help you to put together a strong application, FV is not able to guarantee the success of any application.

Please read the information on this page as well as the Guidelines carefully before applying.

Applications for the program close on 19 August 2020.

Clubs can access the application form and additional information here.
 

Information to have available when completing your application:

  • Incorporated association name and number: you can find this on the Consumer Affairs Victoria portal
  • Australian Business Number (ABN): you can find this by searching ABN Lookup
  • Registered address: this will be your club’s primary place of business and is ordinarily the address used to register as an incorporated association and/or for an ABN
  • Authorised person: a person within your club who holds a position of authority and can engage with SRV as necessary - this may be the person completing the application
  • Bank Account details: approved payments will be made to the nominated account
  • JobKeeper: information on your JobKeeper payments and application including your JobKeeper ATO Receipt ID number

The application process has 6 steps as follows:

Step 1: Are you eligible to apply?

A series of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions, where you must confirm whether your club:

  • employs people
  • is registered with WorkSafe on 30 June 2020
  • has an annual payroll of less than $3 million in 2019-20 on an ungrouped basis
  • is registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) as at 30 June 2020
  • holds an Australian Business Number (ABN) and held that ABN at 30 June 2020
  • is registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria, ASIC or Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission
  • operates within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire
  • participates in the JobKeeper scheme - note you must provide your JobKeeper ATO Receipt ID number

Clubs who answer ‘no’ to any of the above will not be eligible.

 

Step 2: Applicant details

Provide club information including ABN, address and WorkCover Employer Number

 

Step 3: Reasons for application

Part 1

You must indicate which of the following you will use the funds for:

  • Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries, rent
  • Financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning
  • Developing the business through marketing and communications activities
  • Other supporting activities related to the operation of the business (provide details – max 20 words)

Part 2

You must describe how the shutdown restrictions have impacted the club. Consider usual sources of revenue affected, difficulties encountered and additional costs incurred – include dollar amounts where you are able. We have included some suggestions below:

“The revenue impact on the club has been significant and has included…”

“The expenditure impact on the club has been significant and has included…”

Reduced registrations (eg down by X%)

Cost of additional cleaning requirements

Loss of sponsorship funds (eg 3 major sponsors lost)

Inability to defer costs eg rent

Refunds to members

Continuing salary costs (full-time & part-time staff)

Non-operation of hospitality (eg canteen closed)

Cost of additional health & safety requirements

Reduced ticketing sales

Increased groundskeeping costs

Reduced merchandise sales

Legal costs

Reduced fundraising

Increased insurance costs


It is crucial that you are able to demonstrate the need for the funding.

 

Part 3

You must provide further information about employee numbers and JobKeeper payments received.

 

Step 4: Bank account details

Provide details where the club would prefer funds deposited.

 

Step 5: Supporting Documents

You must provide evidence of the club’s address (eg utility bill, lease, rates notice) and the most recent JobKeeper business monthly declaration or if yet to make a monthly declaration your JobKeeper enrolment form. This document must be a PDF generated from the ATO portal. Address details in both must match.

 

Step 6: Declaration and agreement

Read the grant conditions and confirm you have provided true and accurate information and are authorised to apply on behalf of the club.