The Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund provided by the Football Foundation provides eligible organisations with a tapered six-year grant to help them sustain pitches already at a 'good' level and enhance pitches that are either considered 'poor' or 'basic'.
The fund is a key part of the Football Foundation's Power Up Your Grass Pitch campaign - an ambition to deliver 20,000 quality grass pitches by 2030.
(Tapered means that the Football Foundation will pay a reduced percentage of the initial grant value every two years with the club making up the difference. For example, the grant awarded for an 11v11 pitch that needs enhancing would be £3200 in year 1 and 2, £2133 in year 3 and 4 and £1067 in year 5 and 6)
Who is eligible?
All applicants must have the required security of tenure, which is either owning the freehold, having a 10-year lease or longer, or a service level agreement with the site lasting 10 years. Applicants will also need to complete a PitchPower inspection within the last 12 months for all their pitches and have received a PitchPower Pitch Assessment Report before they can apply.
- Grassroots football clubs
- Leagues
- Charities
- Education sites (offering community usage on evenings and weekends)
- Town and Parish Councils (that host grassroots football clubs on council-owned sites)
- National League System (Steps 1-6) and Women's Football Pyramid (Tiers 1-4) clubs (only for non-stadia pitches at the site that are used for community football)
- Please note that only the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer of that Club can submit an application form.
Who is not eligible?
Funding for pitch improvement....
Enhance
For pitches with a Performance Quality Standard (PQS) of 'basic' or below.
|
Pitch size |
Grant value (per pitch)* |
|
11 v 11 |
£3,200 per pitch |
|
9 v 9 |
£2,560 per pitch |
|
Mini soccer (7v7 and 5x5) |
£1,920 per pitch |
*all grant values include VAT
Sustain
For pitches with a PQS of 'good' or higher.
|
Pitch size |
Grant value (per pitch)* |
|
11 v 11 |
£960 |
|
9 v 9 |
£640 |
|
Mini soccer (7v7 and 5x5) |
£384 |
*all grant values include VAT
For the most up-to-date details on the grant please visit the Football Foundation website. The typical process usually involves the following 7 steps:
- Completing a PitchPower inspection report
- Receive multiple quotes from different suppliers and having demonstrations if required
- Applying for the grant
- Paying the club’s share of the final invoice
- Receiving funds from the FA
- Paying the final balance of the machine
- Receiving your new mower!
- Applicants will need to complete a PitchPower inspection for all their pitches that will be improved using the machinery/equipment before they can apply for the Football Foundation Grant.
- Applicants will also be required to evidence that users of the machinery have a good understanding of how to use it safely and how to get the best use from it. The Foundation therefore requires a minimum of two members of the organisation to complete the Grounds Management Association (GMA)’s online Level 1 Football Grounds Maintenance course. This short course from the Grounds Management Association costs £42 and the certificate of completion will need to be submitted to the Foundation prior to the release of any grant. You can register here.
- If successful with your application the Football Foundation expect your equipment to be covered by suitable insurance and securely stored when not in use. It should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and they request that it’s only used by suitably trained operators.
- Pre-owned machinery can be considered providing two like-for-like quotes are provided and it's purchased from a reputable dealer and comes with a minimum 12-month warranty.
How much can we get?
The Foundation will award a maximum grant of £50,000 that doesn't exceed 75% of the total project costs. Where a grant of over £50,000 or 75% of total project costs is required, the applicant should contact their County FA
You can find a range of Allett mowers suitable for football pitches here
Find out more details about the grants available here
Disclaimer: The details on this blog may be changed by the Football Foundation at any time so keep an eye on their website.