Great news! £40,000 was awarded by MCBF in 2018, and Helsby High School / FJFC 3G pitch group now has the final tranche of funds it requires to deliver the project. 👏🏽
Frodsham Junior Football Club (FJFC) teamed up with Helsby High School, the Football Foundation, Cheshire FA and Cheshire West & Chester to raise funds for the project. Phil Wood of FJFC is delighted to be able to announce funding for the project has now been secured!
Please read the following Football Foundation Press Release
Helsby High School awarded funding to revamp football facilities
People living in Helsby and surrounding areas are set to benefit from fresh investment into local football facilities. The Council has been awarded a grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, to install a 3G Football Pitch.
The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.
This grant will enable HHS pupils and Frodsham Junior Football Club, the chance to play football each week in their new and improved facilities.
Players will be able to enjoy the new all-weather pitch, new changing pavilion and improvements to the grass pitches, which will represent a significant improvement on the existing grass pitches, which are prone to waterlogging and in need of renovation.
HHS, CWAC and Frodsham Junior Football Club worked with the Football Foundation and the Cheshire FA to secure a £723,000 grant towards the project.
Martin Hill, Headteacher at Helsby High School, said:
“Football makes a huge difference to the students, players, coaches, teachers and community here. We see first-hand its impact on players’ confidence, physical health and mental focus. To receive this funding from the Premier League, The FA and the Government through the Football Foundation means a lot to us, as it will help us to improve grass-roots sport in Helsby. The new facilities will be of huge benefit to our students and the wider community and will provide the opportunity for even more people to get involved in the ‘beautiful game’”
“For the last 3 years Frodsham JFC has worked incredibly hard to make this dream a reality for all our kids and community. As Chairman I am immensely proud of my 3G executive team, who have given hundreds of hours of time, unpaid, to achieve this vision. I wish to thank our players, coaches and parents for their financial support and constant encouragement. Thanks also to all our corporate and trust sponsors, with particular thanks to the Marshes Community Benefit Fund who are contributing £40,000. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with the terrific people from the school, council and Football Foundation to achieve the dream of a permanent home for Frodsham JFC and long overdue better playing facilities for all our children and adults.” Nigel Cunniffe, Chairman FJFC.
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:
“We’re dedicated to improving grass-roots football facilities because we want to encourage more people to get involved in our nation’s favourite game, regardless of their background, age or ability or place. That’s why I’m delighted that this funding will support HHS and FJFC in developing a 3G pitch for the local community.
“Made possible by investment from the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England, the Football Foundation is supporting the grassroots game by improving access to high-quality football facilities across the country. We believe in the power of pitches to transform lives and strengthen communities and so we’ll be investing £1bn across the country over the next 10 years.”
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:
“The Council is focused on helping all of our residents to thrive, whatever the age. If people are offered the opportunities and facilities to take part in sport and exercise, it can improve their health and wellbeing.
“We want to give people the chance to play football and take part in other sports of their choice. The decision to award this grant will mean people can play football on high quality pitches, which will really benefit their health and wellbeing.”