1,291 local teams will benefit from new funding.
Football pitches across Birmingham are set to be enhanced thanks to £258,500 worth of investment from a new scheme set up by the Premier League, The FA and the government’s Football Foundation.
The Pitch Preparation Fund was set up in support of the game, which is currently facing unprecedented challenges because of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is providing grants to clubs that have lost out on normal revenue streams during this difficult period, helping them to get their pitches ready for when it is safe to play football again, following Government advice.
The fund was greeted with a hugely positive response in the two-and-a-half weeks the application window was open during May.
As a result, £258,500 has been awarded to 100 clubs and organisations in Birmingham. This will allow 332 football pitches to be made match-fit, benefiting 1,291 local football teams.
How Birmingham will benefit from the Pitch Preparation Fund in numbers:
• A total of 100 grants awarded
• £258,500 of investment
• 332 football pitches improved
• 1,291 football teams benefiting
• 75 grassroots clubs awarded grants
• 25 clubs in the National League System awarded grants
As a result of the exposure of the Pitch Preparation Fund, the Football Foundation also received an increase of 176% in its regular facility grant applications during May, compared with April. Many more football sites will be improved over and above those receiving Pitch Preparation Fund grants.
Olly Hitchcox, Facility and Investment Lead at Birmingham County FA, said: “We’re thankful to the Football Foundation and its partners for supporting so many of our clubs with this pot of funding. It will help these clubs tremendously, in what has been a difficult time, by enabling them to ensure their pitches are in the best conditional possible, when it’s safe for football to return. If any club would like to know more about the BCFA Pitch Improvement Programme, and how we can support your grass pitches, please contact oliver.hitchcox@birminghamfa.com.”
Robert Sullivan, Interim Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This new investment into Birmingham will provide crucial support for football in the area. Our national game is a proven driver of mental and physical health benefits, so it’s important local pitches are match-fit in the event that the Government announces it’s safe for the game to start again.
“That is why we’ve worked with the Premier League, The FA, the Government and Sport England to set up the Pitch Preparation Fund. These grants we’re announcing today will help ensure 332 pitches across Birmingham are in a good condition when the time comes.”
The grants awarded will help with essential maintenance works toward grass pitches, including 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. For artificial surfaces, eligible works include deep cleaning, overmarking and FA pitch testing.
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 in Birmingham can sign up here.