AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan has visited the flood affected regions on the outskirts of Sydney to announce the league’s Flood Relief package.

While visiting flood affected senior and junior clubs in Richmond, NSW, Mr McLachlan said the funding could be used for anything that would help clubs recover from the natural disaster.

“These floods were devastating for so many people across NSW,” Mr McLachlan said.

“As it sits, we have eleven football clubs significantly impacted in NSW and of course we want to help, especially with the community season getting underway this weekend.

“This money is for them to spend on what is most pressing to ensure their players and officials can get on with the game as seamlessly as possible.”

The AFL has made $50,000 available initially to distribute to affected clubs and will consider granting special compensation to clubs that have experienced extraordinary losses.

For many clubs, the clean-up continues and each of them will be supported by the AFL through the AFL Flood Relief funds and administration assistance.

Mr McLachlan visited the Hawkesbury Saints Junior AFC and Nor-West Jets AFC, which share a home at Bensons Lane Reserve, Richmond.

Their two-storey clubhouse was almost completely submerged in the flood with the adjoining playing arena completely underwater, including an electronic scoreboard.

These clubs will each receive $5,000 from the AFL to help them recover from the March deluge.

GIANTS defender Phil Davis was on hand to donate equipment and uniforms to the junior footballers affected.

“Looking at it from the perspective of the young kids here and knowing how much football means to you when you’re growing up, this relief package is very important,” said Davis.

“Grassroots football means so much to the broader game. This is where it all starts and it’s so important to be able to give back in times like this and the GIANTS are proud to be able to support the local community wherever possible.”

Round 1 of many community leagues across NSW and the ACT begin on the weekend of 10 April, with others in the near future.