Southgate backs football investment initiative (From News Shopper)

Southgate backs football investment initiative

2:46pm Tuesday 8th November 2011 in Youth Football

FORMER Crystal Palace defender Gareth Southgate is urging junior clubs to take full advantage of the Football Foundation’s Build the Game scheme for smaller-scale facility projects.

Southgate wants grassroots sides, councils and sports associations to get an application in.

These projects might be as simple as replacing a boiler, having changing rooms refurbished or even an artificial grass pitch resurfaced.

Under the Build the Game scheme, applicants can obtain a grant from the Foundation of up to £50,000 and up to 50 percent of the project’s cost.

Southgate, who is head of elite development at the FA, said: “This is a golden opportunity for grassroots football clubs to shore up their facilities with the smaller-scale grants that the Foundation’s Builds the Game scheme offers.

“It is a fast and straightforward application process and a potential lifeline to clubs that need an extra bit of support, particularly when the bad weather kicks in.

“Anyone interested in applying should contact their county FA in the first instance for advice and assistance on how to apply.”

The Football Foundation are encouraging applications to come in by the end of November.

For more information, visit the ‘Our Schemes’ section at footballfoundation.org.uk

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