Grow the Game Scheme Returns
UPDATED: Grow the Game applications have been paused by the Football Foundation
The Football Foundation released the following statement on 6th April 2020:
"In light of the coronavirus outbreak, we are pausing Grow the Game 2020 funding applications whilst we determine the needs of grassroots football across England. Please check back for further information which will be made available in due course.
If you have already applied, we will be in touch with an update shortly."
Grow the Game is back for the 10th year in a row with £1.5m available for clubs to turn their aspirations of creating new female and disability teams into reality
The scheme, which is funded by The FA and Sport England, and delivered by the Football Foundation, prioritises support for traditionally under-represented groups in grassroots football and last year’s edition gave approximately 16,000 people the chance to get involved by creating 884 female and 257 disability teams respectively.
Grow the Game grants of £1,500 will be made available for every new team created, helping to relieve the financial burden on clubs by contributing towards FA coaching courses, first aid kits, league affiliation costs, referees’ fees, new kit or equipment.
New teams across the country mean even more opportunities for both players and volunteers. Nimrah Chaudhry, 16, has benefitted from the scheme by helping to run Barking Abbey Hammers; a newly formed club that was developed alongside the West Ham Foundation and supports children with Special Educational Needs.
Nimrah said: “The team’s only been running for a year but it’s already had the power to change both my life and the players’. They absolutely love football and just wanted the chance to play regularly, which we have been able to provide through Grow the Game.
“None of us would probably be here without this funding and I’m so grateful to have had these opportunities as a result. Grow the Game has had such a positive impact on me and the players in such a short space of time and I would encourage anyone else to take full advantage of it, too.”
Karl Lingham, Hertfordshire FA CEO, said “We are delighted to see the return of Grow the Game which last year saw clubs across Hertfordshire secure over £20,000 worth of funding to start new female and disability teams.
We are here to help clubs to gain access to this funding and create more opportunities to play, so do get in touch and see how we can support you through the application process”.
The application window for Grow the Game is now open and closes on 31st May providing the budget has not been committed by this date.
Clubs seeking more information on the scheme can email contactus@hertfordshirefa.com or visit the Football Foundation website via the link below.