Kendal Town FC Ladies are celebrating after being awarded a 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 Kendal, has paved the way for Kendal Town FC to attract and develop more female football players, 16 years of age and above, through the new development squad and into the first team.

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Kendal Town are also committed to training more coaches to support the women’s game and help to grow its appeal in the town and wider community.

England Men’s Senior Manager and Football Foundation Ambassador, Gareth Southgate, said: “I am so pleased that Kendal Town Ladies has secured this Grow the Game grant. The club has worked very hard with Westmorland FA, Cumberland 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 local 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.

Dan Ross, Kendal Town FC Ladies Manager, said: “The grant will allow us to make football far more accessible to women interested in playing football, develop new coaches and sustain the new ladies’ development squad.”