The first was a cheque presentation on 24th September 2008 for a new funding award of £949,500 from the Football Foundation to Elmbridge Borough Council towards the cost of constructing a new 3rd Generation floodlit synthetic turf pitch and changing rooms at Waterside Drive, Walton on Thames.
3 days later heralded the opening of Kew and Ham Sports Association’s fantastic new changing room complex at Ham Playing Fields, Riverside Drive, Ham. The venue was officially opened by Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall and the Mayor of London’s Commissioner for Sport, the Football Foundation, awarded Kew and Ham Sports Association £591,154 towards developing the site.
This was followed, with the opening of a new pitch at The Abbey School in Farnham by England striker Gary Lineker on Wednesday 8th October. The Abbey School is a special needs secondary school for students with Learning Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This new football pitch, which is the result of a £40K grant from the Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity with a £40m budget going straight into the heart of football.
Surrey County FA works with applicants to develop facilities providing advice and guidance on the process required, ensuring that each applicant maximising the development of football in their community.
Caroline McRoyall, Surrey County FA Development Manager said “this has been a great two weeks for facility development in Surrey, and a great advert for the hard work all of the applicants have put in. The Surrey County FA are committed to improving facilities throughout Surrey which is a vital part of our new four year strategy”
“Abbey School, Kew & Ham Sports Association and Elmbridge Borough Council all deserve tremendous credit for being successful in obtaining Football Foundation awards. Each of these projects will provide excellent facilities for their surrounding communities. We are working with a number of other organisations in Surrey with the aim of submitting bids to the Football Foundation and Surrey County FA are providing great support for these projects”. Stuart Lamb, FA Regional Facilities Manager, London & South East
If you need further details or have any queries please contact Caroline McRoyall at caroline.mcroyall@surreyfa.com