Crewe Alexandra’s Soccer Centre is celebrating after being awarded a £3,000 Grow the Game grant, something that has attracted praise from England Manager Gareth Southgate.
The grant, which will provide a boost to grassroots football in Crewe, has paved the way for Alexandra Soccer Centre FCto form two new female teams at U-12 and U-14 age groups. It will improve local female ‘Player pathways’ and also allow the coaches to progress their coaching experiences and awards.
England Men’s Senior Manager and Football Foundation Ambassador, Gareth Southgate, said: “I am so pleased that Alexandra Soccer Centre FC has secured this Grow the Game grant. The club has worked very hard with the Cheshire FA and the Football Foundation to get more local people playing football, so that they can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come with playing regular sport.
“Grow the Game is mainly funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation. This is money that is flowing from the very top of the game down to the lowest levels, to help clubs at the grassroots to bear the cost of starting up a new team, whether it be for a new kit, pitch hire or sending volunteers on FA accredited coaching courses.”
Grow the Game is a £2.5m programme funded by The FA and the Football Foundation. It awards grants to grassroots football clubs that wish to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.
£1,500 is available to help FA-affiliated clubs with the cost of creating a new team, which might include the cost FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and even football kit and equipment.
Ray Walker the Alexandra Soccer Centre FC Chairman, said: “We are really pleased to receive the ‘Grow the Game’ funding which will really help the female provision within the club and the Crewe area.”
About Grow the Game
Grow the Game is delivered by the Football Foundation, the nation’s largest sports charity. Last year the scheme achieved:
- 2,159 new teams.
- 8,787 female footballers.
- 23,332 male footballers.
- 5,715 new coaching qualifications.
Since it was launched in 2010, the Grow the Game scheme has attracted a total of:
- 161,285 new football players into playing regular football.