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 grants of £1,500 will be made available to every new team created, helping to relieve the financial burden on clubs by helping towards FA coaching courses, league affiliation costs, referees’ fees, first aid kits or even kit and equipment. 

Image caption

Grant eligibility

01

Grow the Game funding will be available for the creation of new Women and Girls or Disability teams only.

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

02

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

Kit and Equipment voucher

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

If selected the following kit or equipment is available:

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

Grow the game
Grow the game

grow the game rugby town girls

How to apply

03
Grow the game

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. 

Grow the game

How do I apply?

Applications are made through the Football Foundation’s online application portal. Grow the Game applications will be opening on the 26th February on a first come first serve basis.

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