Sport England calls for bids for ‘City of Football’
25 Apr 2014 12:59 PM
From Monday, cities
across England will have the chance to bid to become the first ‘City of
Football’
Up to £1.6million of
National Lottery funding will be invested by Sport England in the successful
city to run a pilot programme that unites public, private and voluntary
organisations to do whatever it takes to get more people – particularly
those aged 14-25 years old – playing all forms of the grassroots
game.
Phil Smith, Director of Sport,
says: “Whilst the number of people playing football regularly has
declined, it is still one of England’s most popular sports and the unmet
demand to play is high if the offer is right. From kick-abouts in the park to
5-a-side friendlies to 11-a-side leagues, we want to find the city that wants
this title more than any other, that will do whatever it takes to get more
people playing the game regularly.”
Expressions of interest are
invited from consortiums of local partners that are committed to working
together to deliver a ‘City of Football’. Applications should
demonstrate commitment at the highest level and explain why this mix of local
partners can together increase the number of people playing football in their
city.
Further information about how to
bid will be available at www.sportengland.org from Monday 28 April. The closing
date for applications is 23 May. A shortlist of cities will then be
selected to explore in more detail their potential to be the City of
Football.