A new round of funding from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) on behalf of the UK Government will offer Scottish grassroots clubs the ability to transform and upgrade their facilities for the benefit of local communities.
Following on from the launch last week of the Scottish FA’s new four-year grassroots football strategy, Football For All, grassroots clubs across the nation will have the opportunity to apply for funding from the £2 million investment that DCMS have provided for Scottish grassroots clubs to develop existing facilities that are accessible to their local communities.
The £2m investment is the second round of funding being invested in Scottish grassroots football by the UK government, with £2m having already been delivered by the Scottish FA in 2021/22. This investment is part of the UK government’s wider multi-year commitment to help develop grassroots facilities and increase participation across Scotland.
The latest round of funding of £2m will be open to Scottish FA Quality Mark clubs, as well as any member clubs working in partnership with their local community to deliver a range of grassroots football activities.
Clubs will be able to apply for funding to make improvements to their existing facilities in three areas: 3G playing surface upgrade or replacement; Sustainability (LED improvement and solar panel installation); and natural grass improvement.
The previous round of investment saw a total of 17 projects benefit from replacement of existing 3G pitches that supported community football activity.
Some of the upgrades made possible by DCMS funding already include new 3G pitches at Netherdale Arena in the Borders and Forfar’s Station Park, which is home to men’s side Forfar Athletic and women’s side Forfar Farmington, as well as numerous other youth and recreational clubs and groups.
To coincide with the launch of the second phase of DCMS funding, the Scottish FA are also inviting expressions of interest from clubs across Scotland for future phases of funding. Any clubs who would like to explore opportunities for facility upgrade funding projects can express interest at: Scottish FA Grassroots Pitch & Facilities Fund.
Applications for the funding and expressions of interest process are now open, with clubs able to apply until 23 December.
Scottish FA Chief Football Officer Andy Gould: “One of the ‘gamechanger’ objectives in our Football For All grassroots strategy is to work with stakeholders to improve access to quality community football spaces.
“The previous investment from the UK Government has already had a significant impact in improving facilities across Scotland and this new round of funding promises to have similar transformational benefits across the nation.
“We are grateful to DCMS for recognising the amazing benefits that football participation brings to society by investing in community football in Scotland and we look forward now to continue working with stakeholders as we strive to further develop our wonderful national game.”
For more information on the application process and what opportunities are available through the funding, visit Scottish FA Grassroots Pitch & Facilities Fund.