Grow the Game scheme opens
Underrepresented groups in grassroots football will soon have more teams to play in. The FA are investing £1.5m into the Grow the Game scheme – a programme that increases participation at the lowest levels of the game.
Delivered by the Football Foundation, Grow the Game awards grants to grassroots football clubs that wish to create new teams. Applications are being encouraged from:
- women and girls;
- male teams of Under-14s-and-upwards;
- disabled teams.
Grow the Game supports football’s diversity and is designed to be inclusive of players from different genders, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, ages, sexual orientations and those with disabilities. Applications from all of these groups are being encouraged.
Alex Scott, right-back for Arsenal Ladies and England Women, backed the scheme: “As a player, for me and for all of the team, it’s important to us that we inspire and encourage more girls and women to play the game. Funding like this will really help us drive the numbers of players.
“It’s great to see that one of the key targets of Grow the Game is to raise participation levels among women and girls. I know the funding will also help boys’ teams and disabled players and really demonstrates what an inclusive game football is.
“We’ve got a massive year for the women’s game, particularly with the Euros taking place this summer, and hopefully clubs will make the most of the funding available to set up more female teams to take advantage of the interest.”
The application window for Grow the Game applications will open on Wednesday 1 February and closes on Wednesday 29 March. Clubs seeking more information on Grow the Game should contact Dean Watson, dean.watson@huntsfa.com or visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk/apply/grow-the-game/.
Last year the scheme achieved:
- 2,159 new teams.
- 8,787 female footballers.
- 23,332 male footballers.
- 5,715 new coaching qualifications.
Since it was launched in 2010, the Grow the Game scheme has attracted a total of:
- 161,285 new football players into playing regular football.
As well as delivering Grow the Game, the Football Foundation delivers the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund on behalf of the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England. Since 2000, the Foundation has supported over 15,000 grassroots projects worth more than £1.4bn.
For more information please contact:
Dean Watson
County Development Manager,
01480 447483