Bibra Lake JFC returns to girls' competition thanks to Telstra Footy Country GrantsMonday, June 23, 2025 - 1:09 PM - by Jordan McArdle

If it wasn’t for the Telstra Footy Country Grants program, Bibra Lake Junior Football Club wouldn’t have been able to field their first girls' side for several years this season. 

The junior football club based in the South Fremantle District hasn't had a girls’ team at the club for several years, but with a few girls moving from Auskick to junior football, the club decided to form a Year 3/4 team in addition to their three boys’ teams. 

The club successfully applied for a $2000 Telstra Footy Country Grant this year which allowed them to provide free registration and uniforms to Year 3 and 4 girls wanting to play at the club. 

Bibra Lake JFC President Matthew Slater said it was amazing to see the girls’ team, nicknamed the Bandicoots, get off the ground. 

“It’s been amazing to see the girls team come to life this season,” Slater said. 

“We went from five girls last season playing Auskick with the boys to 17 this year. 

“We needed to find more girls, so we had a team for the other girls to play in, so we applied for the Telstra grant. 

“Thanks to the grant, we offered free football and uniforms and everything, so then through word of mouth we managed to get a decent sized team. 

“We’ve got quite a bit of talent in the team and the girls have really bonded which is really nice to see.”

WA Football Club Development and Volunteers Specialist Jenné Emberson said Bibra Lake JFC’s heartwarming story was just one of many around the State. 

More than $500,000 has been provided to 116 projects across the State - from Kununurra in the north to Esperance in the south - over the past two years, with funded items including electronic point of sale systems, indigenous and pride-themed jumpers, start-up costs for new teams and electronic scoreboards. 

“It was fantastic to see Bibra Lake JFC reach its goal of fielding an all-girls team in 2025,” Emberson said. 

“I commend Matt and the committee on all the hard work they put in to make it happen. 

“The Telstra Footy Country Grants program has had a significant positive impact on football clubs across the State. 

“Through the grants, clubs have been able to update old and tired equipment such as goal-post pads, upgrade their point-of-sale systems to support their canteens and bars, provide short courses to volunteers and purchase life-saving equipment such as a defibrillator. 

“Clubs have been able to grow female participation by offering special registration packages, increase safety through security systems and increase participation and awareness for multicultural and Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander communities through special initiatives.

“Local football clubs often rely on registration fees and sponsorship to fund new equipment and initiatives. Telstra Footy Country Grant funding has helped many clubs access equipment and resources that may otherwise be out of their reach. 

“WA Football looks forward to continuing to offer these grants over the next two years in partnership with the AFL and Telstra.” 

Telstra has committed $8 million over four years to help strengthen, sustain and grow local footy across Australia 

All community football clubs across WA can access funding to assist volunteers, grow participation and improve club environments. 

Applications for this year’s grants close on July 24. 

Click here for more information and to apply for your club