AFL Western District launches new fund to help clubs through the COVID-19 crisis

Operations manager Matt Ross unveiled the club support and future fund on Friday, hopeful individuals and businesses will contribute towards its $100,000 target.

Donate here: Help clubs during hiatus

Ross said it was important to think outside the box during the crisis which has put a stop to football and netball in south-west Victoria until at least May 31.

"We have 10,000 participants (across our six leagues) and if everyone put in $10 we'd have $100,000," he said.

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"We don't know if that's too much or too little but we think that's a nice little ambitious target to have.

"We want to support clubs just with their base operational costs, whether that's a gas bill or ground rental or insurance cost.

"We don't know how successful it will be. We'd like to think the community will buy-in but we do understand everyone is feeling the pinch.

"But anything we can do to help our clubs, we're willing to have a crack at."

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Ross said donations would be tax deductible and the fund was developed in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation which "gives you a bit of legitimacy".

"It's a government agency and you have to provide evidence the money is going to the right projects. It's not just a bank account where no one knows where it's gone," he said.

Money raised will not be distributed to paid personnel such as players and coaches and Ross hopes the fund provide support long after the COVID-19 pandemic passes.

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