The New Zealand Football Foundation is opening applications for grant funding for the second time this year, with the aim of helping football organisations supporting their local communities through any financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chairing the New Zealand Football Foundation, Jodi Tong is pleased to be able to help the football community in what has been a difficult year for clubs, administrators, coaches, parents, and players.

“I think it’s fair to say that 2020 has not been the year that any of us had hoped for, especially in our football communities across the country. Lockdown and restrictions have hampered participation at all levels of the game as well as the ability for clubs to generate funds.”

“The Football Foundation was set up to not only help promote and grow the game in New Zealand, but to fund worthy projects benefiting the footballing community,” said Tong.

“We are delighted to open up a second round of funding applications for this year. This is not something we have done before, but something we felt necessary when considering the impact the pandemic has had on the footballing community,” said Tong.

Sir Eion Edgar, Honorary Patron of the Foundation, was also pleased with the initiative to have a second grants round, adding “I am exceptionally happy to see the support that donors and others give the New Zealand Football Foundation is being put to good use in the football community and I am looking forward to seeing who will emerge as the recipients of this round.”

Earlier this year the New Zealand Football Foundation issued grants to multiple community-based projects across the country, including WaiBOP Football Federation’s participation in the Multi-Sport Junior Programme twelve week pilot housed in both Tauranga and Hamilton from 28 September to 16 December 2020. The programme aims to attract 1000 more juniors into sport.

WaiBOP’s Chief Executive, Karyn Walters is delighted that the New Zealand Football Foundation accepted the application and believes the grant will have a huge impact in making football more accessible in the region.

“Having early exposure to football and sport in general is an important part of growing up in New Zealand, but sometimes financial constraints get in the way of this. The funding from the Football Foundation removes these barriers and allows us to participate in the Multi-Sport Junior Programme pilot to prove the concept works for our communities,” said Walters.

Key stakeholders and supporters of the New Zealand Football Foundation have also been advised of this second round of applications to provide an extended period of consideration for potential proposals or additional support.

The New Zealand Football Foundation’s funds have also been impacted by the economic changes of the pandemic. However, the Football Foundation will take into account the impact this has had on the football community and will prioritise any areas or groups requiring support over and above to what has already been provided by other means (e.g. Sport NZ Resilience Fund).

If you have any queries about the second grants round for 2020 or the New Zealand Football Foundation, please contact Chief Executive Dr Michele Cox via michele.cox@footballfoundation.org.nz

Applications can be submitted from 16 September via www.footballfoundation.org.nz and will close on 16 October.

Article added: Wednesday 16 September 2020