date
24/02/2010
subject
Arsenal and England ace Walcott presents Foundation’s 20,000th free football kit to school team
notes to editor
For more information contact Rory Carroll on 0845 345 4555 ext. 4280
Or 07545 932432 or rory.carroll@footballfoundation.org.uk.
Notes to editors
Some of the benefits of St Thomas More Catholic School’s 3G pitch to date:
· There are 8 pupils who are currently training with professional football clubs
· 7 players are currently on trial with professional football clubs
· The school runs a football academy for years 7-9, which involves showcase games for professional clubs
· The school has had 3 female pupils join the Spurs ladies club
· The 3G pitch is open every lunchtime with over 100 pupils using it, which is contributing to the school’s 3 hour offer of physical activity.
About the Junior Kit Scheme (JKS)
Since 2000, the JKS distributes £1m worth of kit and equipment to junior clubs and schools every year, ensuring young players of all abilities have the best possible start in the game. The Foundation has awarded 20,000 sets of team strips awarded through the JKS to youngsters and disabled adults across the country. Items available include a full strip, training bibs, balls, flags and kit bags – everything a young footballer needs to play the game and all absolutely free of charge. A ‘fitted’ female range of kits for girls is also available to help support the growth of the women’s game – the fastest growing sport in the country.
Please note: the popularity of this scheme has been increasing over the past few years, and demand has already exceeded the available budget for this year. Plans for future JKS budgets will be announced in due course via the Foundation website.
About the Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity with an annual income of £40m provided by the Premier League, The FA and Government. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in July 2010, the Football Foundation is unique, bringing together Government and football to benefit communities and the grass roots of the game. Foundation funding helps to build new changing rooms and pitches for local people, or schemes that enable more people to play football and a range of other sports, whilst often at the same time helping to address society’s wider challenges, such as obesity or antisocial activity.
Nationally since its launch July 2000 the Foundation has:
· supported 7,607 projects worth over £875m (FF Grants = £375m)
· leveraged £500m in additional inward investment
· delivered a £5 return on every £1 invested by each funding partner
· 40% of funding is targeted at the top 20% most deprived wards
· funded 1,394 facility projects worth £645m (£291m)
· funded 2,181 community projects worth £224m (£82m)
· funded 313 artificial grass pitches
· funded 382 grass pitches
· funded 634 changing facilities
· awarded 20,000 grants towards free football kit and equipment (worth £400 each)
· delivered multi-award winning £60m community investment programme for Barclays Bank creating 200 sites across UK
· £2.4m invested into installing safe, new goals across the country
