Football Foundation grant to revamp Regent's Park

The Football Foundation has awarded a grant of £908,343 to The Royal Parks to revamp its 13 Regent's Park football pitches.

The FF said many of the sports pitches in the park are built on bomb rubble from the Blitz and years of heavy use has led to uneven surfaces and major drainage and maintenance problems.

The project will also see mini soccer becoming an established fixture in the park, with the creation of five new pitches for under-10s teams.

The project is part of a £5m project that will see more pitches, better infrastructure and a new pavilion.

Following the renovation, the park will be expanding its role as a focal centre for London community football projects including the Street Football League - established for London's homeless - and the Arsenal and QPR community football schemes. QPR will also be establishing weekly girls coaching sessions in the Park.

Peter Lee, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: 'The Royal Parks have a proud history in providing sport for Londoners and this latest Foundation grant will leave a legacy for future generations of footballers to enjoy the game.' Details: www.footballfoundation.org.uk