England Manager Gareth Southgate congratulates Port Vale Ladies FC on their funding success.

Port Vale Ladies FC are celebrating after being awarded a £6,000 Grow the Game grant, something that has attracted praise from England Manager Gareth Southgate.

The grant, which will provide a boost to grassroots football in Stoke-on-Trent, has paved the way for Port Vale Ladies FC to create four teams in the upcoming future. In Year 1, Vale will look to create a Girls under 14 side and a Senior Ladies side. In the second year, a girls under 12 and under 10’s side, as well as training over eight members of staff.

England Men’s Senior Manager and Football Foundation Ambassador, Gareth Southgate, said: “I am so pleased that Port Vale Ladies FC has secured this Grow the Game grant. The club has worked very hard with Staffordshire FA and the Football Foundation to get more local people playing football so that they can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come with playing regular sport.

“Grow the Game is mainly funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation. This is money that is flowing from the very top of the game down to the lowest levels, to help clubs at the grassroots to bear the cost of starting up a new team, whether it be for a new kit, pitch hire or sending volunteers on FA accredited coaching courses.”

Grow the Game is a £2.5m programme funded by The FA and the Football Foundation. It awards grants to grassroots football clubs that wish to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.

£1,500 is available to help FA-affiliated clubs with the cost of creating a new team, which might include the cost FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and even football kit & equipment.

Sarah Minshall, Inclusion Officer for Port Vale Foundation Trust said: “I would like to thank the Football Foundation for helping us to create further opportunities for Girls and Ladies in our communities to play football.

“This has been a very exciting year for us as we have seen a considerable increase in the amount of women and girls playing football in our community sessions in the last 6 months. The grant will help us to continue to grow women and girls football and provide opportunities for all age groups to play for Port Vale Ladies FC in the near future.”