THE Football Association is re-launching its adult male retention-focused funding scheme to support men’s 11-a-side community football teams in Suffolk.

The newly-titled Stay in the Game scheme will offer existing clubs the opportunity to apply for grants of £750 to help cover the various associated costs of running a football team.

Last year, under the name Retain the Game, the scheme helped to support the retention of 2,336 adult male teams across the country, supporting an estimated 55,000 community footballers.

Clubs who benefited from the grants last year were able to use the funding for match-day and training facility hire, first-aid training and new equipment, whilst also subsidising match-day fees for members of their respective squads.

Paul Simpson, England Under-20s Head Coach, said: “It’s no secret that we are seeing adult male players move from regular 11-a-side football into other more casual formats of the game.

“One of the main reasons is clubs lacking money for things like match fees, facilities hire, new kit and equipment, which can lead to their teams folding.

“Last year’s roll-out of the scheme saw some really positive strides and I hope we’ll see men’s 11-a-side teams across the country receive a helping hand.” 

This year, the grants will once again be available to adult male teams in the under-18 to Under-21 category, open-age adult sides and veterans’ teams.

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

• Clubs that operate with two or more adult male teams – Under-18s, Under-19s, Under-21s, Under-23s, open age and vets.
• Clubs that hold the FA’s Charter Standard Award (Adult, Youth, Development or Community).
• Adult clubs that commit to becoming FA Adult Charter Standard within season 2019/20.
• Clubs that have the support of their County Football Association.

Please note that clubs who benefited from successful Retain the Game applications last season will not be eligible to apply to this funding window of Stay in the Game.

Jodie Allard, Football Development Manager at Suffolk FA, added: “Managing finances can be a challenge for adult clubs and so we are really pleased to see the return of this new look funding scheme this season.

“The Stay in the Game scheme is a great incentive for clubs to recognise and reward those with more than one adult team and support them to continue providing opportunities for local people to enjoy the game here in Suffolk.

“We would encourage any adult clubs who fall within the eligibility criteria to take advantage of this opportunity to secure additional financial support.”

The application window for Stay in the Game is now open and closes at 5pm on Thursday, June 6th 2019.

Clubs seeking more information on the programme should either contact Jodie Allard at Suffolk FA on Jodie.Allard@Suffolkfa.com or visit the Football Foundation website.

Stay in the Game is inclusive of players from different ethnic backgrounds, faiths and sexual orientations. 

This push to reverse the decline in adult male teams follows the recent Grow the Game funding scheme for 2019, which made £1.5 million available for grassroots clubs looking to create new women and girls or disability football teams.

As well as Grow the Game, the Football Foundation uses investment from the 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.