Cash boost to help young footballers into the game
Young footballers in Sunderland have been given a £750 cash boost in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.
The cash has been granted to Skills Academy and North East Skills FC by the Premier League, Football Association and the Government’s Football Foundation.
It aims to help the organisation restart following the lifting of restrictions on grassroots football and will be used for a programme aimed at bringing new players into the game, cover the cost of adapting to Covid-19 rules and to launch a number of toddler sessions which aims to get young children into the sport.
Skills Academy hopes that it’s new programme will enable it to significantly grow participation in football in Sunderland and and surrounding areas.
Anth Ellison, founder and head coach of Skills Academy, said: “The grant has enabled us to create a host of opportunities for children of all abilities aged from 18 months up to 10 years old to get involved with football in a fun, relaxed and safe environment.
"In the future we hope to grow and get more children into the sport.”
Details of the sessions can be found at www.skillsacademy.football.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Our Return to Football fund is supporting clubs across the country, helping them to kick-start our national game again locally and try to recover from the effects of Covid-19. ”
“This is part of our wider ambition to transform our grassroots game and unlock pitches, something we hope to get back to in full force as restrictions are lifted.”