Football Foundation Grow the Game Grants

The Football Association is providing £1.5 million this year to boost grassroots football in England.

For the 8th year in a row, the Football Foundation is offering grants to grassroots football clubs that are looking to create new team. The scheme aims to increase participation in football by helping clubs to provide opportunities for new players, or by training volunteers to support new players and teams.

Grow the Game is inclusive of players from different genders, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, ages, sexual orientations and those with disabilities. Applications that originate from, or provide for, underrepresented communities are being encouraged.

This year, applications are being encouraged from not-for-profit clubs who want to start:

Women and girls teams (from age 7 years on).
Disability teams.

A wide range of not-for-profit organisations can apply and eligible organisations can receive a grant of £1,500 per new team created over two or three years with financial support being reduced in the second or third year of the project.

Clubs can use the grant to help with FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and football kit and equipment through a bespoke voucher.

Brandon Coleman, England Blind footballer, said:

“By recognising areas of the game where playing opportunities are really limited, and focusing on developing them by providing funds that could make all the difference, Grow the Game plays a big part in making sure that football in England is open and accessible For All.”

There is good news for existing adult male teams as a new FA, retention-focused scheme, called Retain the Game, is expected to launch in April 2018. The £1 million fund will provide financial support to aid the participation of open-age male teams in the game.

The deadline for applications to Grow the Game is 29 March 2018.

Full details…