Add Category
Canberra's only top-flight football team has been saved from folding after the ACT government offered an extra $200,000 in funding.
The future of Canberra United has been in limbo for some months, with governing body Capital Football in a dire financial position.
The team played their final match of the A-League Women season last month, knowing it may be the last the club played.
On Wednesday, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry wrote to the head of Capital Football, Samantha Farrow, offering the financial lifeline.
"I write to advise that the ACT government has agreed to offer Capital Football an additional $200,000 as per your request, to further support the operational budget for Canberra United in the 2024-25 season," Ms Berry's letter read.
"This offer is in recognition of the ACT Government's commitment to one of Canberra's most beloved teams.
"We acknowledge the role that Canberra United plays in inspiring women and girls in our community."
Ms Berry made clear to Capital Football the government's financial boost would be a one-off.
"Please note that this funding uplift offer will only be provisioned for one year in 2024-25 and will not form the foundation of, or set any precedent for, any future negotiation discussions regarding partnership fee funding," Ms Berry said.
"Further, noting the current four-year agreement expires on 30 June 2025, any future agreement would require a financial due diligence to be undertaken to provide assurance that Canberra United is a viable ongoing concern."
Funding will come with conditions
The ACT government's $200,000 comes on top of a $250,000 contribution they brought forward earlier this year.
Speaking to ABC Radio Canberra, Ms Berry said that funding would come with conditions, including requirements for more community engagement as well as sponsorship and fundraising opportunities.
The team will also wear CBR branding on their kits.
"Part of this is about securing the team and providing security into the team," she said.
"When sponsors and businesses see that a team is secure, they're more likely to jump in and provide sponsorship."
Ms Berry confirmed there would be more negotiations with the club to confirm precise details about how that funding would be used.
She said the club had assured her the money would go directly to the team and the players.
The minister acknowledged the government spent significantly more on other local sports teams but said salary caps on the players meant additional funds couldn't go to them directly.
"Giving a team more money that can't spend it on the team will just mean it sits in a bank somewhere," she said.
'We're pretty thrilled'
Community-led initiative Save Canberra United has also been raising funds to save the team, and have so far gathered nearly $73,000.
Sue Read from Save Canberra United said the total amounted to nearly enough to fund the team for next season.
"I've just been on the phone to Capital Football and they said … they've just got the board's resolution to commit to us going ahead for next season," Ms Read said.
"We actually still have about another $30,000 to raise, so I did speak to the minister and we are gonna have to keep going out fundraising to close that gap.
"But it's enough for the board to have confidence that we can commit to next season, so that's fantastic news."
Ms Read said getting to this point showed how much the local community cared about the team.
"For us it demonstrates the power of passion, people-power, community support, all the things we've done with the petition and crowd-funding," she said.
"We feel super excited that it means the team's here … so we're pretty thrilled."
One factor complicating the future of Canberra United has been an ongoing move to create a men's A-League team.
Ms Read said this lifeline means there should be enough time to sort through that, and Canberra United's other issues.
"We have had some other meetings more broadly about further investment for the future," she said.
"We feel really optimistic that Canberra is well placed, both to have the women's team but actually for the women's team to actually bring on a men's team.
"I think this will give enough time now to be able to make sure that investment can go through to the following season after next season."
Capital Football still has 'some shortfall'
In a statement, Capital Football chief executive Samantha Farrow confirmed the funding boost would mean the club could commit to fielding a team next season.
She also confirmed there had been "some shortfall to cover costs" before that could happen.
Ms Farrow welcomed the government's announcement of funding and thanked the community for their support.