Following the success of last year, Stockport County Football Club and Stockport County Community Trust is delighted to once again launch the Grassroots Football Fund.
This funding will continue to provide financial support to male and female junior teams across the borough next season. It will provide up to £1,500 per club to help with their development and running costs, which may include providing new kits, pitch hire and club events as well as helping to establish new teams such as a girls or disability teams.
The investment, which totals £50,000, will be distributed in line with each individual club’s need, based on number of players and eligibility. Clubs registered with the Cheshire and Manchester FA and based in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport may apply.
Alongside the funding, clubs will also be invited to take part in the annual Festival of Grassroots Football which will take place on the pitch at Edgeley Park at the end of the season. This will provide a great opportunity for aspiring young players to experience the Edgeley Park playing surface in a fun and friendly environment. Coaches will also be invited to take part in CPD events delivered by Stockport County Academy staff.
The Grassroots Football Fund, which was launched last year, provided grants to 25 local clubs. One such club, Stockport Dynamoes, used this extra funding to launch a new girls team.
Their coach Jack Miller commented:
“We used Stockport County’s Grassroots Football Fund to set up a girls team, alongside developing two new sides which will come on board next season. The grant enables 30 and 40 girls to play organised football who wouldn’t have done so previously. In addition, we have two new coaches – one male, one female – and we’ve been able to take them through the appropriate courses to deliver safe and inclusive match day experiences.
“We are completely thrilled by the impact that this funding has made and are overwhelmed by the number of girls that are now playing.”
Said Stockport County Community Trust CEO Alison Warwood:
“We are delighted to be able to launch the Grassroots Football Fund for next season. It’s designed to support clubs across the region so that the game can be as accessible as possible. Items such as kits, equipment and pitch hire can be a significant barrier to entry, and we’re very keen to alleviate that.
“Playing team sports and staying active is incredibly beneficial for young people in Stockport, and by participating in the annual Festival of Grassroots Football, they’re also given the chance to play at Edgeley Park. This will be a very special occasion for all involved.”
If your football club is registered with either the Cheshire or Manchester FA and based in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, please apply here: https://forms.gle/oVDYLZyQ7CCwYwjT8
Applications will close on Monday 8th July 2024.