Burnham United AFC is celebrating this week after being awarded a £1,500 ‘Grow the Game’ grant, a scheme that has attracted praise from England Manager Gareth Southgate.
The grant, which will provide a boost to grassroots football in Burnham-On-Sea, has paved the way for Burnham United AFC to create a Fourth Team aimed providing football opportunities for young players (Under 21s) making the transition from junior to adult football.
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.
England Men’s Senior Manager and Football Foundation Ambassador, Gareth Southgate, said: “I am so pleased that Burnham United AFC has secured this Grow the Game grant. The club has worked very hard with Somerset 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.”
Burnham AFC Club Chairman Matt Counsell said: “At Burnham United AFC we have benefited from a high number of U16s joining the club from Burnham United Juniors in the last 18 months so thanks to the support from both the Football Foundation and Somerset FA, this funding has allowed us to start a fourth team allows us to provide more football opportunities for these players and other Under 21s locally.”
£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 & equipment.
