Football Funding Article - How To Get Funding
I came across an article just before christmas about our role as coaches in the development of the game from grassroots through to national level.
As you know I’m a firm believer that the buck starts and stops with us in developing the bright new talent that will support and grow football and every level of the game - from park to premeir league and beyond.
The article I referred to is from the top dogs at Sport England - the government set body that is tasked with supporting sports at all levels - from schools to clubs, within England.
Scotland has a similar body with similar remits.
Check out this website if you live North of the border - lots of very useful information and contacts:
Scottish Borders SFA Development Programme
I know you’re busy so I’ll keep this brief.
Sport England want to engage children in sporting activities, especially football because it’s so popular and has a massive reach within all - ok most - communities.
If you are a club or coach for fun or are setting up a club, you may be eligible for some help - like funding - for equipment, changing rooms, goals and so on.
Find out from your local council office who you need to speak to - possibly the Sports Development Officer and simply ask what is available.
They should be able to point you in the right direction.
If you can prove that your club is able to help certain groups of children, whether that be ethnic kids, disabled kids -
whatever - then you may have a better chance of funding.
The key factor, as far as Sport England is concerned, is to encourage child participation and long term involvement in sports because this helps to keep a nation healthier - makes sense.
I suppose other key factors they may also look at if you apply for funding would be a fun and enjoyable environment with positive feedback and encouragement being fundamental to your club / team ‘policy’.
They realise that these qualities are essential in leading children to participate in our - or any - sport and also it is these qualities that will encourage a lifetime involvement in sport too.
Some of our subscribers have also added that being Charter Standard - in England - or working towards the “QUALITY MARK AWARD” in Scotland will greatly improve your ability to attract funding from the governing bodies.