Grow the Game

Delivered by the Football Foundation and funded by The FA, Grow the Game provides clubs with funding for the creation of new teams.

The Grow the Game scheme provides an investment of £1.5m to traditionally underrepresented groups in community football.

Grow the Game aims to support the growth of new Female and Disability teams by offering grants of £1,500 for the creation of new affiliated teams.

The application window will be open from 26th February 2020 to 31st May 2020 and applications will be assessed on a first come first serve basis.

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Grant eligibility

Who is eligible?

Football clubs
Youth clubs with a football programme
Futsal clubs
Community groups/centres/clubs
Charitable organisations
Parish Councils
Sports Associations
Local Authorities
Multi-Sports clubs
Companies limited by guarantee
Professional Club Community Schemes
Industrial and provident societies
Unincorporated not-for-profit organisations
University and College Teams playing in FA affiliated community leagues

Who is not eligible?

Individuals
Profit making organisations
Leagues
Educational establishments
University teams playing in BUCS, Intramural, or non-FA affiliated leagues
College Teams playing in AOC, Intramural, or non-FA affiliated leagues
Groups wishing to apply for charitable status
Organisations seeking retrospective funding for costs that have already been made or are due before an offer of a grant has been awarded

About the grant

All teams within the project must be affiliated for the upcoming season (2020/21).

Grow the Game provides funding to contribute towards a combination of the following essential costs:

Facility hire
Referees fees
DBS checks
Affiliation fees
League entry
Promotion and publicity
FA coaching courses
Additional courses
Football kit/equipment through a bespoke voucher

Please note: grant awards are limited to two teams per application

Kit and Equipment voucher

A £350 Nike Kit and Equipment voucher* is available for each new team being created.

*Please note, this is not in addition to the £1,500 grant.

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How to apply

Before applying

Grow the Game is an extremely popular scheme and the assessment process is competitive, therefore we strongly recommend that before making an application you contact your local County Football Association to discuss your project in advance of the application window opening.

Please note for the applications that meet eligibility criteria they will be prioritised on a first come first serve basis.

How do I apply?

Applications are made through the Football Foundation’s online application portal.

If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact
gtg@footballfoundation.org.uk