Given that there may be a new club playing at Edgar Street next season, this statement from 'Grow The Game' might be of use.
The “Grow the Game” fund aims to increase participation by helping clubs meet the costs of expanding the range of teams they operate to cater for players whose opportunities to join suitable teams are limited. The fund will boost the playing opportunities for women and girls, disabled players, and male teams of Under-14 and upwards. Clubs can apply for funding this week and will be accepted within these target groups provided that they meet the basic eligibility criteria.
For each new team that a club creates, £1,500 of funding will be made available, with the grants aimed at covering the costs incurred for league entry, referees’ fees, first aid kits, FA coaching courses and football strips. A total of £1.5 million in funding is available in Grow the Game 2015.
The application window for Grow the Game applications will open on Wednesday, 7 January, 2015 and close on Wednesday, 18 February, 2015. For clubs seeking more information on Grow the Game should contact their local County FA or visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk/apply/grow-the-game/.
Funded by the Premier League and The FA, Grow the Game is delivered by the Football Foundation, the nation’s largest sports charity and was launched last month by the TV presenter Ben Shephard, who is also the Football Foundation’s ambassador.
“I’ve got so much benefit and enjoyment out of playing football, so it is great to see £1.5 million through the Grow the Game scheme enabling grassroots clubs to provide those with the least opportunities to play the game to be given the chance,” Shephard said. “The Football Foundation’s partnership with the Premier League and The FA in delivering the Grow the Game scheme has had incredible results since it began in 2010.”
Since the scheme started five years ago, more than £6 million of investment has led to 6,777 new grassroots teams being created, with more than 90,000 players being attracted into the game. Thanks to Grow the Game almost 8,000 FA coaching courses have been funded, too.
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 developed nearly 2,000 facilities with grants worth £400m, which it has managed to more than double through attracting partnership funding.