Youth Retention Fund Sept 2021

Fund is already making impact

THE Suffolk FA Youth Retention Fund is already making an impact.

HAVERHILL Town FC are the first club to benefit from the Suffolk FA Youth Retention Fund.

Two players at the club have received financial assistance following a successful application.

The new fund was set up to support families who are facing financial challenges caused by the pandemic, leading to young players being in danger of not being able to play for an affiliated team.

Haverhill Town FC Chair Lee Wood said: “Clubs, including Haverhill Town FC, have in the past fundraised in order to assist parents and guardians with yearly ‘sub’ payments, which pre-pandemic, was manageable. However, Covid has made fundraising activities increasingly more difficult in the grassroots environment.

“Haverhill Town FC, as a club ever-wishing to support its parents and youth players, utilised the Youth Retention Fund and successfully received assistance towards player subscriptions for the 2021-22 season and found the ease in which to apply astonishing.

“A simple discrete application process, complemented by an extremely swift payment once your application has been approved, has demonstrated that Suffolk FA, by implementing this fund, have ensured that financial hardship, brought on by this global disease, will not prevent the youth players of our county having to miss out on essential life skills and development.

“Haverhill Town FC would like to offer their sincere gratitude to Suffolk FA for the support and guidance they have offered the club during the application process and this very testing time for all clubs across the footballing pyramid.”

The Youth Retention Fund was established to support the cost of young players’ club membership fees and other expenses in a bid to prevent children dropping out of football simply because of the cost of playing.

Up to £150 is available per child, to a maximum of £500 per club, and applications can be made on behalf of anyone playing in an under 18 age group or below for the 2021-22 season.

Funding is being provided from Suffolk FA reserves. Grant payments will be made directly to the player’s club and will go towards fees or in some circumstances additional costs such as kit or entry fees for tournaments.

To apply, please click here

The closing date for applications is September 30th 2021.

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