FA to encourage female and disabled participation with £1.5m fund

Grassroots clubs for women and girls, disabled players and over-14 males will be eligible to bid for a portion of a £1.5m (US$2.1m, €2m) fund created by the Football Association (FA).

The FA’s Grow the Game initiative – delivered by the Football Foundation and funded by the governing body and the Premier League – is designed to increase participation among the “three specific sections of society” that have seen opportunities to play football “traditionally limited”.

Applications from clubs will only be accepted if they cater for the specific groups, with £1,500 (US$2,136, €1,974) being made available for each new team created for women, girls, disabled individuals or males over 14 years-old.

The amount earmarked is aimed at covering the costs for league entry, referees’ fees, first aid kits, FA coaching courses and football strips. The current application window is open between Monday 1 February until Thursday 10 March 2016

Since the Grow the Game scheme began in 2010, 2,000 new teams have been created.

Football Foundation ambassador and Sky Sports News presenter Hayley McQueen said the scheme was “an excellent chance for grassroots clubs to expand and get coaches qualified.”

She added: “I think getting more people playing sport is very important so to give football teams the resources to do this is fantastic to see.”