Pitch

Pitch Preparation Fund to Benefit 72 Sites in Cornwall

69 affiliated clubs covering 72 different sites have successfully applied

Cornwall Football Association is delighted to announce that 69 affiliated clubs covering 72 different sites have successfully applied for the Football Foundation’s Pitch Preparation Fund and will now each be receiving grants of up to £5,000 to help maintain their grass pitch facilities, with over £141,000 being awarded in total (subject to offers being accepted).  
Funded by the Premier League, The FA, the Government and Sport England, the Pitch Preparation Fund is being delivered by the Football Foundation to support the grassroots game during an unprecedented time of uncertainty and challenges, as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Clubs which lost out on normal revenue streams during this difficult period and needed help preparing their pitches after difficult winter weather conditions were all encouraged to apply for the fund, provided they maintain their own natural grass pitches and have at least 12 months’ security of tenure. 

A total of £9.56 million was allocated to the fund and Cornwall FA is delighted that many of its local clubs are in line to benefit, with funds available to support vertical decompaction, slitting, over seeding, fertilising and weedkilling, as well as routine preparatory works such as grass cutting and the setting out and line marking of pitches.

Daniel Greenough, Cornwall FA Senior Football Development Officer, said: “It is great to see an increasing number of our clubs and volunteers applying for funding.  I have always been a big believer in if you don’t ask you don’t get and you have to be in it to win it. With this mind-set, more of our football family are accessing funding that is supporting the development of football and the local communities involved.  

“We are always looking to aid our leagues, clubs and volunteers to progress the game we all love and the more people applying for funding the more projects we can deliver for the betterment of the county. Keep up the hard work. If you build it, they will come.”

Clubs and other organisations are also being given access to the Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community. This is a free online resource the Foundation developed with The FA and the Grounds Management Association, containing advice and guidance. Anyone can sign up at https://thefa.hivelearning.com/groundskeeping

If you missed out on the Pitch Preparation Fund and would like to investigate other funding opportunities available, please visit the link below.

www.cornwallfa.com/leagues-and-clubs/finance/facilities-grants-and-funding