One in four regional Australian sporting clubs struggle to field teams due to dwindling numbers.
Soccer legend Mary Fowler is backing community sport underdogs, in a new partnership with Uber to sponsor Australia’s most deserving reserve grade team.
The $50,000 sponsorship will be awarded to one regional reserve team.
In partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation, Community sporting teams across Australia are invited to enter into the running and demonstrate why their team is deserving in a video submission. Entries close at midnight on 31 March 2024 and the winner will be selected by a panel including Mary Fowler, the hosts of the Hello Sports podcast, and Uber.
“This initiative aims to recognise the underdogs and the underfunded on the reserve bench, in their consistent pursuit to keep their club, and community spirit alive,” Fowler says.
“I resonate with their fighting community spirit, as it spurred my love for soccer 14 years ago in my hometown in Cairns. Without it, I simply wouldn’t be where I am today, playing professionally and for my national team,”
The life-changing sponsorship will be provided to one reserve team to support club needs, whether that’s buying new equipment, covering staff or volunteer resources, or just the ability to keep the lights on as the cost of living pressures bite.
“It’s a pleasure to be part of Uber’s Reserve Grade Heroes campaign, shedding light on the importance of supporting community sport. Together, we can empower local communities and nurture the next generation of athletes,” continues Fowler.
A soccer coach based in Ballarat, David Flynn, says while there’s no doubt community sport brings people together in regional communities, funding is the main barrier to participation.
“The main reason that our registrations are down is because our facilities are run down and unsafe to use, with limited funding, we are unable to improve these facilities” Flynn says.
