Let’s go 2023!

This year will see the biggest ever level of support for sports clubs and organisations across the country from The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation. 

2022 was a big year for the Football Foundation, with the country’s biggest sports charity delivering over £68m of funding to a range of projects, transforming lives and communities where it is needed most. A massive 1,940 grants were awarded including 49 3G football turf pitches, 68 changing rooms and 1,754 goal posts. As well as these 1,700 grass pitches have been transformed thanks to funding available to clubs and organisations.  

But there is still more to do and this year kicks off with a full lineup of support including advice and funding opportunities to help improve grass pitches, opportunities to apply for funding for new 3G pitches and fit-for-purpose clubhouses and changing pavilions as well as floodlights, goal posts, fencing and storage containers!  

In Spring further support will include an Energy Fund and specialist guidance to support clubs and organisations with the cost-of-living crisis. In the summer the Foundation will launch a package of support that will enable clubs to take on sites from Local Authorities on long-term leases which will include everything a club will need for example site security, machinery and income-generating assets such as a catering unit. This Autumn in a first for the Foundation, loans for 3G football turf pitches will be introduced. 

Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation said: “Thanks to funding from The Premier League, The FA and Government, the Football Foundation is going to be the biggest supporter of the grassroots sport both on and off the pitch this year.”  

“We know that the cost-of-living crisis and recovery from the impact of Covid is being felt at grassroots clubs and organisations across the country so we are determined that we will make 2023 a game changer for facilities across England by providing the biggest pot of funding to date.  

“We will be supporting grassroots clubs and organisations in a bigger way than ever before – whether you are looking for new goalposts, or floodlights to shine a light on your brilliant players, a grass pitch that can be used all year round, or a community space that will be welcoming to all, the Football Foundation is here to support you.” 

"We will be supporting grassroots clubs and organisations in a bigger way than ever before" - Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation

Since 2000 the Football Foundation has been delivering outstanding community sports facilities, transforming lives and communities where it’s needed most, awarding more than 23,000 grants worth over £877m - that’s 1,000 3G pitches, 11,000 grass pitches and 1,300 changing facilities. This has attracted an additional £1.23bn of partnership funding – totalling over £2bn investment in grassroots football so far. 

 The charity has ensured everyone has a place to play regardless of gender, race, disability or place and helped improve physical health, mental wellbeing, community cohesion and the local economy across the country.  

  Thanks to the Football Foundation working with County FAs and local authorities, an action plan has been created for the whole country, identifying where facilities are most needed.  

 This year the Football Foundation will also continue its work to engage local communities in physical activity through its Active Through Football programmes and launch Football Foundation PlayZones - small-sided multisport pitches based on community need that will provide spaces not only for football but other sports such as rugby, cricket and basketball.  2023 will also see six state-of-the-art Hubs opening ensuring more and better places to play whether it’s a cold, wet and dark Tuesday night in January or a sunny summer Sunday in June.  

 What’s more we will ensure equal access for women and girls, 50% of funding goes into the 40% most deprived and inactive communities in England and by 2025, 40% of investment will go to football-rooted projects that support an additional sport e.g. rugby or basketball.