CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

In his foreword, our Chief Executive focuses on the significant funding provided by our Funding Partners, how local authorities are encouraged to partner with us to magnify the impact of this funding, and how this has benefited local communities. I would like to consider what has been achieved with this funding.

Since being created by the Premier League, The FA and the Government, in 2000, the Football Foundation has delivered over 750 state-of-the art thirdgeneration (3G), floodlit, all-weather pitches; more than a thousand modern changing pavilions; and helped to improve in excess of 3,000 natural grass pitches. While there is still much more work to be done, I have no doubt that the state of community football facilities has significantly improved through the support provided by our Funding Partners.

However, it is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s what these facilities do for their communities that really counts. As well as providing quality, modern, safe environments for those who enjoy playing the game simply for the love of doing so and for the health benefits – whether by joining a local community club and playing in a local league, or participating in a less formal, small-sided format of the game – Foundation-funded facilities are supporting communities on a very broad front. On Page 12 of this Review, you will be able to read about the exceptional community outreach work being delivered from Burton Albion Community Trust’s community hub. This is but one of many examples where professional football clubs are supporting their communities from facilities delivered by the Foundation. On Page 19, you can see how a small Grow the Game grant has helped to provide a brave, young girl with her first ever opportunity to play football; and on Page 23, you will see what a huge difference the Premier League Primary Stars Kit and Equipment Scheme is making in terms of education and talent development.

A significant proportion of Foundation investment goes towards supporting those who live in the most deprived communities. Very often, this will be the first investment a community has received for decades, and I am always overwhelmed by the positive reception I receive when I represent the Foundation at an official unveiling. These facilities would simply not work without an army of volunteers who give their time freely to ‘bring them to life’, from coaching and mentoring young footballers, through to cleaning the changing rooms and maintaining the pitches. An independent study by the Centre for Economic and Business Research found that a single year of Foundation investment generated 2,700 volunteers who provided £9.5 million of economic output nationally.

Our work is all about partnerships. Yes, the critical funding partnership between the Premier League, The FA and the Government that makes it all happen as the source of the essential funding, but also partnerships at the local level – between local authorities, professional and community clubs, County FAs, schools and volunteers. Without this spirit of cooperation, this great game of ours would not work so well.

Thank you to all our partners for everything you do to make it all happen.

GARY HOFFMAN

“THE STATE OF COMMUNITY FOOTBALL FACILITIES HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THROUGH THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY OUR FUNDING PARTNERS.”