GROW THE GAME GRANTS AVAILABLE TO FORM NEW FOOTBALL TEAMS IN THE BRIGG AREA

Brigg now has far fewer football clubs and teams than it had decades ago.
However, the governing body nationally, the Football Association, is making money available at local level, through the Lincolnshire FA, to try and stimulate interest.
Brigg Blog is told that 35 new grassroots teams will be created in Lincolnshire thanks to £52,500 of new investment in the form of Grow the Game grants.
In addition to the many new football teams that will be created, Grow the Game grants will also allow for 47 volunteer coaches to become trained up in the relevant qualifications, in order to deliver age and ability appropriate coaching at the new teams.
The Grow the Game scheme is funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation. The programme is designed to increase participation at the lowest levels of the game with grants of £1,500 available for each new team that a club creates.
A statement from the FA adds: "Applications from demographics identified as having been traditionally underrepresented in the sport – namely, women and girls; male teams of Under-14s-and-upwards and disability teams – were prioritised.
"The funding can help a burgeoning club pay for the fundamentals, including: FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and even football kit & equipment."
Kelly Simmons MBE, The FA’s Director of Participation and Development, said: “Grow the Game not only allows us to focus on helping groups within the grassroots game, but also unearth brand new teams who want to kick a ball and increase participation levels as a result.
“The proposition of 35 new teams and 47 new coaches across the Lincolnshire area is extremely encouraging and this investment – which is provided by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation – means that participation in our national game will increase, especially amongst underrepresented groups.”
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This is excellent news for grassroots football in Lincolnshire. Grow the Game, which is delivered by the Football Foundation, is about creating long-term participation increases and getting people playing who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do so. The FA deserves credit for directing investment to help train new coaches and get teams playing in affiliated leagues.”
Read more at http://www.lincolnshirefa.com/news/2017/oct/of-fa-investment-to-start-new-grassroots-football-teams-in-lincolnshire#4CCkyVGY5Hq8b6SE.99  

Our picture dates from the 1960s and shows a trophy-winning Brigg Amateurs team at the Recreation Ground. Amateurs FC had THREE Saturday league sides for some seasons during the 1980s but  later folded.