nfa

Football participation in Northumberland bolstered thanks to funding from The FA

• Funding scheme from The FA supports new and established clubs • Grow the Game develops 23 new teams in Northumberland

New figures show that football in Northumberland is set to receive a significant boost over the next 12 months.

New investment provided by The FA, and delivered by the Football Foundation, has been announced that will support the growth of 23 teams in the area, which is expected to cater for 250 footballers in local leagues.

Grow the Game, which was first launched back in 2010, offers grants of £1,500 towards community football clubs wishing to establish new teams and this year focused on catering for female and disabled players.

A large number of clubs in Northumberland have been successful in securing investment from The FA through the Football Foundation. Over the course of the next year, Grow the Game will support the growth of 18 female and five disabled teams respectively.

Funding from both grants can be used to help a club pay for FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and even football kit and equipment through a bespoke voucher.

Danielle Carter, Member of The FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board and Arsenal Women’s Striker, said: “It’s extremely exciting that so many community clubs in England have successfully applied for Grow the Game funding.

“We should start to see increased numbers of women’s, girls and disability teams in parks and facilities across the country, which will hopefully inspire even more new players to take up, enjoy and continue to build the sport amongst these groups.” 

The FA has made £1.5 million available to grassroots clubs looking to create association football teams for grassroots footballers across the country.

As well as 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 16,000 community projects worth more than £1.5bn.

In Northumberland, the Football Foundation’s Funding Partner investment has helped to support the development of:

  • 22 third generation artificial grass pitches
  • 104 real grass pitches
  • 33 changing pavilions