The Football Foundation Board has recently approved some changes to the Goalpost Safety Scheme policies. Specifically they have agreed that applicants (Clubs, Schools and Local Authorities) will be able to apply for:
• New goals as well as replacement goals
• An extended range of goals including 9v9 goals
• Up to £3,000 (% level of support will remain at 50%)
They will be rolling out this policy with immediate effect and appropriate price lists and information will be available on the Football Foundation website. There will not be new application forms but guidance notes explaining the changes in policy.
The funding level for the scheme remains at 50%.
The application form should be completed, but now on page seven when asked to specify which goals you want to purchase you may choose from the following 13 goals (the goalposts must be selected from the recommended suppliers list on the Football Foundation website):
Full size - 24ft x 8ft (7.3m x 2.4m)
1) Socketed aluminium
2) Socketed steel
3) Quick release aluminium
4) Free standing aluminium with integral weighted back bar
Youth - 21ft x 7ft (6.4m x 2.1m)
5) Socketed aluminium
6) Socketed steel
Mini-soccer - 12ft x 6ft (3.7m x 1.8m)
7) Socketed aluminium
8) Freestanding aluminium with weights
9) Freestanding aluminium with integral weighted back bar
10) UPVC
Futsal posts - (3m x 2m)
11) Freestanding aluminium
9v9 - 16ft x 7ft (4.88m x 2.13m)
12) UPVC with appropriate ground anchors (comes with carry bag)
13) Freestanding aluminium (with counter balance weights)
If you want to choose one of the goals above which is not currently listed on page seven please use the notes page of the application form (page nine) to tell us what you want, and the price of the goals from the supplier you have chosen. Please note prices include delivery, nets and, where appropriate, weights and bags.
Grant ceiling
An individual grant cannot exceed 50% of the cost of a pair of goals up to a ceiling of £3,000. An applicant (such as a local authority) may apply for up to a maximum of 10 grants (the grants may apply to one site or several).
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from FA affiliated clubs, local authorities, schools (that demonstrate commitment to football and FA Charter Standard), local community groups and clubs in the National League System Step 7 and below. Clubs in Steps 3 - 6 of the National League System can apply for goals for their U18 youth teams.
Who cannot apply?
Professional clubs including their Academies and Centres of Excellence; clubs that do not have an open membership policy, clubs in the National League System Steps 1 and 2 and commercial operators are all ineligible to apply.
The Foundation does not fund retrospectively and will not consider applications for goals which are ordered or purchased before an offer of grant aid has been made.
Either apply for a Goalpost Scheme on-line or request an application form through the post.