England boss Southgate behind bid to ‘Grow the Game’

Under-represented groups in grassroots football will soon have more teams to play in.

The Football Association is 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 and 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.

The FA says Grow the Game grants lessen the burden of costs associated with starting new grassroots football teams. Some £1,500 is available for each new team that a club creates.

Expenditure that the funding can help a club pay for includes: FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and even football kit & equipment.

The application window for Grow the Game applications opened on Wednesday (February 1) and closes on Wednesday, March 29.

England manager and Football Foundation ambassador Gareth Southgate said: “For anyone wanting to create a new grassroots football team or even start up a brand new club, Grow the Game funding is vital. The money can help with the fundamentals of any burgeoning club, like buying new kit or training up coaches.

“It’s relatively small grants like these which make a huge difference to those who play or volunteer in our national game purely for the love of it.

“The window for applications opens on Wednesday 1 February, so clubs who think they are eligible should visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk/apply/grow-the-game/ or speak to their local County FA, to find out more information.”