Karl McCartney, the Member of Parliament for the city of Lincoln, is urging clubs to apply for the Football Foundation’s Grow the Game scheme, with the application window closing on Thursday 10 March.
£1.5 million of funding from The FA and the Premier League is available for grassroots football clubs across the country, who can apply now for grants of £1,500 for each new team created.
Grow the Game grants will only support grassroots football clubs’ new activity with grants of £1,500 per team over a maximum of three years, with an emphasis on increasing the number of teams for: women and girls; disabled players; and 14 years old-and-over males.
The costs associated with starting and running a grassroots football team in an FA-affiliated league that this funding can assist with includes facility hire, coaching qualifications, referees fees, CRB checks, affiliation fees, football kit and league entry fees.
Grow the Game is delivered by the Football Foundation – the UK’s largest sports charity – on behalf of the Premier League and The FA, who co-fund it to the tune of £1.5m each year.
The application window for Grow the Game applications close Thursday 10 March 2016. Karl McCartney JP MP advises that clubs seeking more information on Grow the Game should contact Lincoln County FA at http://www.lincolnshirefa.com/news/2016/jan/funding-available-for-your-club or visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk/apply/grow-the-game/.
Karl McCartney, Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, said: “As a keen footballer and having played the Beautiful Game all my life I am delighted to support the Grow the Game scheme run by the Football Foundation. It gives clubs the chance to create new teams that offer regular football for under-represented groups.
“Clubs across Lincoln that are looking to start new teams for next season should definitely consider applying for this funding.
“Clubs have until Thursday 10 March to apply, so any that are interested should visit the Football Foundation website for more information and get in touch directly with the Lincoln County FA.”
Grassroots organisations can also apply for small grants from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which is funded by the Premier League, The FA and the government (via Sport England), of up to £10,000 for the refurbishment or improvement of existing facilities. To apply, speak to the County FA or visit http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/funding-schemes/premier-league-the-fa-facilities-fund-small-grants-scheme/.
Another scheme available to clubs and schools is FA Respect, where the Football Foundation can provide funding for up to 50% of the total cost of Respect packs which contain items such as pitch barriers, signage and other equipment which helps player and spectator conduct. Visithttp://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/funding-schemes/respect/ to find out more.
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For further information, please contact Karl McCartney MP at [email protected] / 020 7219 7221.