Pitch Improvement Programme (PIP)
In 2016 The FA launched an £8 million commitment to improve football pitches across the country over the next four years.
The Pitch Improvement Programme (PIP) will deliver improvements to more than 2,000 grass pitches.
To find out more and how to apply, please contact your local County Football Association
PIP will provide a range of support services to grassroots clubs, club volunteers and groundsmen including on-site evaluations with practical advice and recommendations.
It will also include a range of measures to help develop the skills and knowledge of the volunteers and groundsmen including seminars and workshops.
One of the great challenges that many clubs in grassroots football face is that 83 per cent of pitches in England are publicly owned and, as austerity measures kick in, local authority budgets are increasingly being squeezed. Funds for pitch maintenance are often at risk as councils are forced to prioritise essential services.
The official roll out of the PIP follows extensive piloting which has already seen £1 million invested and over 800 visits to grassroots football pitches by trained experts.
Mark Pover, The FA's national facilities manager, said: "PIP has already proven to be a tremendous resource for many grassroots clubs.
"Through the introduction of new technologies, The FA is able to develop local investment strategies and continue talking directly with clubs about the state of the facilities they use, providing dedicated programmes to help with improvements.
The development of playing pitch strategies also gives us an early warning of pitch conditions and pitches under threat of development, strengthening our hand when it comes to challenging pitch closures and maintenance programmes.
To support the programme The FA has appointed two industry partners, Redexim Charterhouse and Rigby Taylor, who will assist in the roll out by supplying FA-affiliated grassroots clubs with discounted product and materials and also support the training workshops.
Click here to read the Pitch Improvement Programme FAQs.
