"Retain The Game"

A brand new funding scheme is set to aid the retention of adult male teams within grassroots football clubs. The £1 million fund has been created to boost football’s traditional format following a recent decrease in the number of adult male FA-affiliated grassroots league teams.

Retain the Game, which is funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation, is offering existing grassroots football clubs grants of £750 to continue offering valued playing opportunities in organised football. These grants will support clubs’ adult male teams in three age categories:

• Under-17 to Under-21
• Open Age 
• Veterans

The grants are designed to cover core costs that are incurred by grassroots clubs, including matchday and training facility hire, First Aid training and new Nike kit and equipment through a bespoke voucher. 

Grassroots clubs that meet the following criteria will be eligible to apply: 

Adult clubs with two or more adult male teams that hold the FA’s Adult Charter Standard award, Charter Standard Development or Charter Standard Community Club award

Adult clubs with two or more adult male teams who commit to become Adult Charter Standard within the 2018/19 season

Should the fund be oversubscribed, clubs that meet the following criteria will be prioritised:
• Clubs in existence for ten or more seasons
• Clubs in existence for between five and nine seasons
• Clubs with three or more adult male teams
• Clubs who operate in leagues employing The FA’s ‘Full Time’ system

The application window for Retain the Game is now open and closes on Wednesday 30 May. Clubs seeking more information on the programme should visit https://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/funding-schemes/retain-the-game/