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Seashell Trust awarded grant to build new 3G pitch in Stockport

Grassroots sport in Stockport is set to benefit from a major cash injection following the news that Seashell Trust have been awarded a grant from...

The new facility will comprise of a full-size third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP), which can be split into two 9v9 and four 5v5 pitches in addition to two changing rooms and ancillary facilities.

The grant will enable Seashell Trust to further engage with the local community by providing a hub for football that will support grassroots clubs, disability football and league development to increase participation within the game. Main partner club, Cheadle & Gatley FC, will lead the football development outcomes with all 30 of their teams based from the site.

The club worked in partnership with Cheshire FA to secure a £500,000 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund.

The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund is funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, via Sport England. It is delivered by the Football Foundation, the country's largest sports charity. Since it was launched in 2000, the Foundation has awarded around 15,000 grants worth £580m towards improving grassroots sport, which it has used to attract additional partnership funding of £800m – over £1.4bn of investment into the grassroots game.

By providing more high-quality facilities, coupled with coaching at the appropriate age group, the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund aims to improve the experience for regular players as well as attracting new players to the game. Many of the new state-of-the-art facilities will serve to strengthen the connection between professional football clubs and their local communities, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country, through the professional clubs' community trusts' outreach work.

Mark Geraghty, CEO/Principal of Seashell Trust, said: "This generous grant means that Seashell Trust can deliver first class sports facilities that are accessible to all, enhancing the daily lives of our young people as well as benefitting the wider community. It takes us great strides towards our aspiration to become a centre of excellence for inclusive sports. 

"Our thanks go to the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund and all those who supported us in our application. We look forward to working with partners including Cheadle and Gatley FC, encouraging more people to get involved with football, whatever their level of ability."

Andy Scott, Chairman of Cheadle & Gatley Football Club added: "To have all of our age groups training at a fantastic local facility is an amazing opportunity for Cheadle & Gatley FC and we must express our sincere thanks to Seashell Trust and the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund for developing this opportunity. This new facility will enable the club to continue providing grassroots football training and coaching to over 300 local boys and girls in a safe environment each week."

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: "Congratulations should go to Seashell Trust for working with the Cheshire FA to secure this Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund grant. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded 380 grants worth £16m across Cheshire towards grassroots sports projects worth £30m with money generously provided by our funders: the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England."