We want to support clubs to increase the number of players in amateur football.

We are aware the cost of starting a new team can be significant and this can create barriers to those looking to start up and establish new competitive, affiliated teams. The Amateur FA Team Starter Fund can help provide some support to your club’s efforts to either get started with your first team or increase the number of teams you operate in the 2022/23 season. 

You are eligible if:

• Your club is affiliated to the Amateur FA with at least one or more adult teams playing in a FA affiliated league and are planning to run an additional team in 2022/23 (this can be Open Age, Veterans, U23s, U21s, U19s, Futsal or Small-Sided)
• You are looking to start a new adult club/team (this can be Open Age, Veterans, U23s, U21s, U19s, Futsal or Small-Sided) for the 2022/23 season and will affiliate with the Amateur FA.

  You are not eligible if:

• You are a club with only youth teams, or you are looking to expand your youth sector.
• Your club is in the university or college sector, playing in BUCS, AoC or intramural leagues.
• You are a league.

We want to fund clubs that are clearly demonstrating a desire to provide amateur football in the right environment, to ensure as many individuals as possible can engage in the game.

This is a revenue fund and clubs must demonstrate a clear need on how the money will be spent to establish their first adult team or increase the current number of adult teams they operate into the 2022/23 season.

Some examples of what the funding can be spent on (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Playing kit (no more than one)
• Playing equipment and first aid supplies
• League and affiliation fees (first season only)
• England Football Learning courses (eg. Introduction to First Aid in Football or Safeguarding Children Course)
• Marketing and promotion

  Funding cannot be spent on:

• Hiring of facilities (matchday and/or training)
• Payment to any players, coaches or matchday officials
• Volunteer expenses
• Capital projects: including building works (both fixed or temporary and refurbishments) and fixed equipment (eg. fixed goalposts)
• A manner where only one individual benefits.

Each club can only submit one application, where they can bid up to a maximum of the respective amount in the table below:

	New 11-a-side Team	Transition SSF to 11v11	New Small-Sided Team
New Club	£500	N/A	£150
Already an AFA Club	£300	£250	£100

click here to apply

The fund will be open indefinitely, until the whole grant has been allocated. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and successful applicants will be contacted with an offer of funding. At least 50% of the funding will be allocated to the growth of women teams.

If you have any questions relating to the Amateur FA Team Starter Fund, please email the team on info@amateur-fa.com.