FA funding paves the way for new Palace for Life disability football opportunities
Footballers living with disabilities in Croydon, Bromley and Sutton are set to benefit from a significant boost in competitive opportunities after Palace for Life Foundation were awarded a £4,500 Grow the Game grant.
The scheme, which is funded by The Football Association [The FA] and delivered by the Football Foundation, will enable Palace for Life Foundation to create one down’s syndrome football team and two learning disability football teams for males and females from the age of five and over.
The Grow the Game scheme sees grants of £1,500 awarded to community football clubs wishing to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.
This year, funding was made available for clubs looking to create new female and disability football teams, which can assist towards the costs of FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; football kit and equipment.
Palace for Life Foundation’s Disability Officer, Keon Richardson, said: “We’re delighted to received funding from the FA and the Football Foundation. It will help us grow three impairment specific football teams for both males and females.”
For more information contact: Keon Richardson, 07522225373 and KeonRichardson@palaceforlife.org
Notes to editors
About Grow the Game
Grow the Game is delivered by the Football Foundation, the nation’s largest sports charity, and funded by The FA Last year, 479 clubs were awarded grants by the Foundation awarded grants to 479 clubs to support:
• 230 new disability teams
• 1,140 new female teams
• 3,770 disabled footballers
• 13,739 female footballers
• 1,787 new coaching qualifications
Since it was launched in 2010, the Grow the Game scheme has supported the growth of more than 14,000 teams.
About The FA
The FA is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and successfully generates enough revenue to support the investment of well over £100m into English football each year. The FA oversees 28 England international teams, across men’s, women’s, youth and disability football, as well as running FA Competitions, including the Emirates FA Cup and SSE Women’s FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation.
About the Football Foundation
As well as Grow the Game, the Football Foundation uses investment from Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England, to provide enhanced sporting facilities across the country. Since 2000, the Foundation has supported over 16,500 grassroots projects worth more than £1.5bn