Glenn said: “The number of grants approved over the past six months is testimony to our commitment to the pursuit of better grassroots football facilities in this country.”
He joined counterparts Richard Scudamore of the Premier League, Nick Bitel of Sport England and Sports Minister Tracey Crouch MP in highlighting the strength of their combined commitment for continued funding through The Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund.
Projects to benefit include the Communities First Foundation in Croydon, which has received a £342,265 grant to build a new 3G pitch and refurbish an existing one with the aim of boosting football participation on site over the next five years.
Another example is a £500,000 grant to Beech Hill Primary School in Halifax which will enable the school to construct a new floodlit 3G pitch – predicted to increase the number of teams at clubs using the site from 52 to 64.
Over the past six months the Football Foundation has administered fund award grants worth £14 million – triggering an additional £43 million on investment from other sources. An additional £750,000 has been set aside to assist grassroots clubs whose facilities have been afflicted by the spate of flooding across northern England.
“Next year will see even greater intensity – continued investment in vital individual projects such as these and also the opening of the first city football hubs – marking a step-change in the nature of grassroots football provision,” added Glenn.
Sheffield will play host to the first of the Parklife hubs – which will be up and running by the start of the 2016/17 season. The two initial sites will each be home to two new full size 3G football pitches, two fully drained 11v11 grass pitches with extensive changing rooms, coach education and social facilities.
