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• State Government and AFL go halves on $1 million annual investment for 5 years.
• Facility upgrades, improved community participation, job creation, supporting regional coaching and travel subsidies to remove geographical barriers.
• Floodlights on at Nipper Roe Sports Field, Broome thanks to $300,000 funding.

It’s hoped the footy-focused initiative — called the ‘Kimberley Implementation Strategy’ — will kick goals in several ways, from improving grounds where AFL is played to removing geographical barriers by supporting team travel.

Making the announcement at the recently upgraded Nipper Roe Oval in Broome, the Sport and Recreation Minister said the new funding will be divided into four areas:

• $400,000 on additional full-time resources to implement the ‘Kimberley Football Delivery Strategy’ creating new local jobs to support football development.
• $380,000 into facility upgrades such as lighting, ground improvements and female change rooms and amenities.
• $100,000 on travel subsidies, removing barriers to regular competition, particularly for remote communities participating in the Kimberley football leagues.
• $120,000 to bolster football pathways, football leagues, supporting regional-based coaches and providing access to specialist expertise.

This funding, totalling $5 million over five years, follows recent State Government investments in Kimberley football including $300,000 for new floodlighting at Nipper Roe Sports Field in Broome and almost $592,000 upgrades to change rooms and lighting at Clarrie Cassidy Oval in Wyndham.

After the legacy of WA’s historic first AFL Grand Final, the State Government and Australian Football League’s partnership continues with this funding of grass roots footy, and in a region where there’s a passion for the game — 81 teams, 17 Auskick centres, nearly 2,600 registered players and a number of high-profile players in the AFL and AFLW hail from the Kimberley.

The investment announcement comes at a time when the community wants more night-time activities.