Canberra United’s immediate future has been secured by a belated injection of funding from the ACT government, but the long-term viability of one of the country’s most successful women’s clubs remains in doubt.
The club’s owners Capital Football revealed in March they needed more investment to keep operating the team, which has cost $2.5m over the past two years.
A “one-off” contribution of $200,000 from Canberra taxpayers has been pledged to meet costs of fielding a team in next A-League Women season, likely to start in October. The amount is in addition to the annual subsidy from the government of $250,000.
ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry said the additional money provided certainty for the team and partners going into next season.
“Part of this is about securing the team and providing security into the team,” she told ABC radio. “When sponsors and businesses see that a team is secure, they’re more likely to jump in and provide sponsorship.”
A fundraising initiative started by former Matildas player Sue Read has also attracted more than $74,000 in donations, and will continue to run.
The club issued a statement on Thursday, saying the funds were welcome, but there was still a shortfall in financing the team.
“We thank the football community for supporting Canberra United through the ‘Save Canberra United’ fundraising campaign, and that, coupled with this generous contribution from the government, certainly helps the club in our immediate requirements, but we still have some shortfall to cover costs for the new season,” they said.
“Having said that, the directors of the Capital Football board have agreed to field a team in Season 17, and we look forward to working with government, fans, and commercial, to give the club every opportunity going forward.”
Capital Football is the only football association to operate an A-League team.
An expanded A-League Women competition has made it more expensive to field the side.
The A-Leagues expected to award a new licence for a team from the nation’s capital in time for the next A-League Men season, which would also take on responsibility for the A-League Women side, but those negotiations remain unresolved.
Canberra United have been W-League champions twice, most recently in 2014.