ESV announces Club Canteen Grants Program with AFL Victoria

[caption id="attachment_16008" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Hot pies: Director of Energy Safety Paul Fearon (second right), with St Albans FC player Ben (from left), Canteen Manager at St Albans, FC Vern and Jemma.[/caption]

Community football has received a boost today, with the launch of the Energy Safe Victoria Canteen Grant Program.

This unique program is an extension of Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) renewing its partnership as premier partner of WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country for a further two years. The partnership renewal will see ESV support the growth of country football until 2019, taking the partnership to nine years. Under the scheme, canteen grants will be available to Victorian clubs to purchase new gas or electrical equipment for their club canteen to replace aging or unsafe equipment. All Victorian clubs competing in leagues affiliated with AFL Victoria will be eligible to apply for funding, to improve energy safety in club canteens as part of Energy Safe Victoria’s commitment to creating a safer state. Energy Safe Victoria CEO Paul Fearon, said they are proud to partner with AFL Victoria to support the wider football community and continue to promote the awareness of gas and electrical safety at the community level. “The footy club is often the hub of suburban and regional communities, with the canteen being the heart of the club,” he said. “We have launched this new grants program to ensure our energy safety messages are both promoted at the local level, while also improving the safety of canteens for volunteers and the general public. “Raising energy safety awareness is an ongoing commitment ESV has to the people of Victoria, and through this program we will support awareness of our key community messages around carbon monoxide awareness, the dangers of DIY electrical work and BBQ safety.” [gallery columns="2" size="medium" link="none" ids="16024,16019"] In addition to the new funding program, the partnership will also see the continuation of the annual Energy Safe Round, which has been a key driver in raising awareness of the dangers of working with gas and electricity to country Victorians. AFL Victoria chief executive Steven Reaper, said the partnership was key to showcasing the importance of being safe around gas and electricity, whether at the football club, home or work. “We’re delighted to have Energy Safe Victoria extend its support of community football to ensure that our clubs have the opportunity not only to improve their canteen facilities, but to increase awareness of energy safety issues at the community level,” he said. “Football clubs are the heart and soul of our communities, so it’s vital players, officials and volunteers across all football clubs stay safe whether it’s playing footy, at work or at home. “The beauty of this extended partnership is that we are able to provide direct support to clubs and assist them in purchasing equipment for their canteens, which ultimately assists them in generating vital revenue. “We thank Energy Safe Victoria for their continued support, and look forward to working with them in spreading the message of safe gas and electricity use to the wider football community.”

How do we apply?

The Energy Safe Victoria Canteen Grant will be open in two rounds throughout 2018, with eligible clubs able to apply for the first round from April 3. For more information and to register your club's application for the Energy Safe Victoria Canteen Grant, click here.