A WORCESTERSHIRE FA chief has praised the work of the Football Foundation at grassroots level.

The major UK sports charity has worked closely with the county to support 89 projects across the area with grants worth £4.4million.

Financial support from the foundation, which was set up in 2000, has attracted further partnership funding of £5.2m as a result.

Andy Norman, county development manager at Worcestershire FA, said: “The foundation has provided funding to many projects in Worcestershire which have greatly improved facilities and provided additional opportunities to play the beautiful game.

“All of these facilities have greatly assisted our clubs but in particular the artificial grass pitches have begun to revolutionise football.

“Without the foundation, the football facilities available would be far poorer.”

The investment has provided Worcestershire with: * 19 new pitches — real and artificial * eight new changing pavilions * 15 ‘Grow the Game’ grants towards club development * 50 new, safe goal posts * 4,665 free junior football kits The foundation are backed by cash from the FA, Premier League and the Government via Sport England.

They recently awarded a £99,393 grant to Welland Juniors to help towards a new state-of-the-art sports pavilion and renovated pitch.

The improvements have allowed Welland to increase the junior and senior football delivered locally.

They were previously handed free vouchers through the foundation’s junior kit scheme and a £6,762 grant towards developing additional teams at the village club.

The new pavilion has also benefited the local community, schools and colleges.

Prior to the establishment of the foundation, there was a recognised under-investment in football facilities.

Research shows participation on sites enhanced with foundation funding increases by an average of 50 per cent when they open and by a further 25 per cent over the following four years.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the foundation, said: “Our work with Worcestershire FA has achieved major improvements to the grassroots across the county.

“The Foundation will continue to work towards rebuilding facilities at community level, enabling many more local people to gain access to regular football and other sports in their communities and improving the quality of their experience.”