# New £1 million Retain the Game grants scheme opens for applications

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/04/23/new-1m-retain-game-grants-scheme-opens-applications/
- Published: 2018-04-23T09:35:54+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**A new £1m funding scheme to support adult male teams within grassroots football
clubs has launched.**

The [Retain the Game](https://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/funding-schemes/retain-the-game/)
fund has been created to boost football’s traditional format following a decrease
in the number of adult male FA-affiliated grassroots league teams.

Funded by The FA and delivered by the [Football Foundation](https://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/),
Retain the Game is offering existing grassroots football clubs grants of £750 to
continue offering playing opportunities in organised football. These grants will
support clubs’ adult male teams in three age categories:

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 * Under-17 to Under-21
 * Open Age
 * Veterans

The grants are designed to cover core costs incurred by grassroots clubs, including
matchday and training facility hire, First Aid training and new Nike kit and equipment
through a bespoke voucher.

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

 * Adult clubs with two or more adult male teams that hold the FA’s Adult Charter
   Standard award, Charter Standard Development or Chart Standard Community Club
   award
 * Adult clubs with two or more adult male teams who commit to become Adult Chart
   Standard within the 2018/19 season

The application window for Retain the Game is now open and closes on **Wednesday
30 May** with [information available](http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/retain-the-game)
from local County FAs and online.

Aidy Boothroyd, England Under-21s Manager, said:** **

> “I am delighted that Retain the Game has been launched. Adult male grassroots 
> football is a fundamental part of the game and financial support provided through
> this scheme will have a fantastic impact in ensuring high levels of continued 
> participation across the country. I would encourage all eligible teams to apply
> by visiting the Football Foundation website.”

The new fund follows the recent Grow the Game funding window for 2018, which made
£1.5 million available for grassroots clubs looking to create new women and girls
or disability football teams and is predicted to this year create around 1,000 new
female and disability teams in the grassroots game.

As well as Retain the Game, the Football Foundation delivers the Premier League &
The FA Facilities Fund on behalf of the Premier League, The FA and the Government,
through Sport England. Since 2000, the Foundation has supported over 17,000 grassroots
projects worth more than £1.4bn.

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