The Amaroo-based AFL club expects to field more than 400 players across their seniors, juniors and women's teams this season, but before and after matches they will hold their team meetings in an unlined 10-metre-wide tin shed.

The Jets had been promised $66,000 in federal funding to develop the shed into a proper clubrooms, only to have it withdrawn when the new government came to power.

Then on Thursday night, robbers broke into the shed to steal soft drinks and water bottles that were to be sold at a fund-raising barbecue on Saturday.

The Jets had planned to use part of their federal grant to install a more secure, heavy duty roller door on the building.

Chairman of the board Joe Cortese said about $1500 in damage was done to the roller door and it would take time for the insurance money to come through. ''It's heartbreaking because you're relying on volunteers,'' he said.

Through fund-raising efforts and a grant from AFL Canberra, the Jets had built the tin shed they call ''the hangar'' in November, but they had hoped to expand it.

The federal Labor government had confirmed the club would get $66,000 as part of its Building Multicultural Communities Program. But in mid-December the new Coalition government scrapped the program, after accusing the ALP of using the money for pork barrelling.

The club had already spent about $5500 of the grant building a ramp to the shed, fitting secure glass doors and installing wiring for electric lighting. A government representative had told them they would be reimbursed for that amount, but the rest of the money was no longer available.

Local builder Goldruby Homes this week agreed to sponsor the club, donating $1000 in building materials to line the shed. The club will rely on volunteers to carry out the work.