GRASSROOTS football clubs in Hampshire can apply for grants from a £1.5m fund made available by the Premier League and The FA.

The fund has been set up to aid the development of grassroots football clubs across the country.

Providing Hampshire FA clubs meet basic eligibility criteria, anyone can apply, although this year sees a particular emphasis placed on increasing the number of teams and players in the under-15 and above age bracket, an age group where participation numbers traditionally decline as youngsters leave school and college.

The other key focus is on growing the numbers of girls’, women’s and disability teams.

Clubs in Hampshire will be able to access grants through the Grow the Game Scheme, which will be managed by the Football Foundation, the nation’s largest sports charity.

The window for applications is open now – and will close on Monday, February 17.

Grow the Game funding is designed to increase participation in the national game by helping clubs to meet the essential costs of creating new teams.

The grants can help pay for things like league entry, referees fees, first aid kits, FA coaching courses and kits. A £1,500 grant will be available towards creating a new team.

Sacha Nicholas, County Development Manager at Hampshire FA, said: “The Grow the Game grant is a great opportunity for grassroots clubs in Hampshire.

With rising costs of participation, this funding will make a real difference and we hope that clubs will grab the opportunity to develop new teams.”

Funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, via Sport England, the Football Foundation is the country’s largest sports charity.

Since it was launched in 2000, the Foundation has awarded around 9,600 grants worth more than £412m towards improving grassroots sport, which it has used to attract additional partnership funding of over £565m.

Clubs seeking more information on Grow the Game should contact their local County FA or visit footballfoundation.org.uk/apply/grow-the-game