Clubs get share of Grow the Game cash

FIVE clubs in the Charnwood area have been given funding to expand the range of teams they run as part of a major initiative by The FA and Football Foundation.

Grassroots football clubs within Leicestershire and Rutland have received a total of £82,500 in Grow the Game funding and some of that cash has been earmarked for Charnwood.

• Barrow Town Youth – £6,000 over three years to grow one under-14 boys team and under-7, 8 and 10 girls teams

• East Goscote – £6,000 over three years to grow two under7 and two under-8 girls teams

• Loughborough Futsal – £4,500 over three years to grow adult male, under-19 male and adult female teams

• Loughborough Students Futsal – £1,500 over two years to grow an under-19 male team

• Rothley Imps Juniors – £3,000 over three years to grow one under-15 male team and one under-7 female team.

Shaun Waite, Football Development Officer (Participation) at Leicestershire & Rutland County FA, said: “As a County FA we are always trying to get more people involved in the nation’s favourite game. We’re all looking forward to seeing these new teams get started.”

Kelly Simmons MBE, The FA’s Director of Participation and Development, said: “The proposition of 55 new teams and 120 new coaches across the Leicestershire area is extremely encouraging and this investment – which is provided by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation – means that participation in our national game will increase, especially amongst underrepresented groups.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This is excellent news for grassroots football in Leicestershire. Grow the Game, which is delivered by the Football Foundation, is about creating long-term participation increases and getting people playing who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do so. The FA deserves credit for directing investment to help train new coaches and get teams playing in affiliated leagues.”