England Manager Gareth Southgate congratulates Blaby & Whetstone Athletic on their funding success
Blaby & Whetstone Athletic are celebrating after being awarded a £1,500 Grow the Game grant, something that has attracted praise from England Manager Gareth Southgate.
The grant, which will provide a boost to grassroots football in Leicester, has paved the way for Blaby & Whetstone Athletic to re-introduce an Under 18 team in the Leicestershire Midweek floodlit League after a four year absence from the league. The new coach Andy Ward has experience in this league and Blaby & Whetstone are delighted to acquire an experienced manager. This team will look to provide the link between the Senior and Junior sections of the club.
England Men’s Senior Manager and Football Foundation Ambassador, Gareth Southgate, said: “I am so pleased that Blaby & Whetstone Athletic has secured this Grow the Game grant. The club has worked very hard with Leicestershire County 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.”
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.
£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.
Javeed Virk, Club Secretary, said: this is a good news story the Club needed. We have worked hard to bring back a team at this level over the last few years but without success. With the help of the Football Foundation we have been able to re-introduce this team that will provide a bridge between the Senior and Junior sections of the Club. We want to show the young players at the club that there is a route to senior football, with this grant this will be the start of a new era at Blaby & Whetstone.