FC Halifax Town Foundation has been awarded a Return of Supporters Fund grant to celebrate the return of fans to stadiums.
This grant is part of wider investment from the Premier League which comes in the form of the Return of Supporters Fund. This funding has enabled eligible clubs in EFL League One and Two, the National League (Step 1) and the Women’s Super League to apply for funding for fan-engagement projects ahead of the 2021/22 season.
The initiative awarded funding through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) to support activities and events designed to strengthen the relationship between clubs and their fans.
Director of Youth, Junior and Community Football Development, Steve Nichol said: “we are delighted to receive this funding that will enable the Foundation to improve fan and community engagement through specific match day opportunities and develop non-match day fan engagement with a focus on hard-to-reach young people, promoting mental and physical well-being. This project will help to bring FC Halifax Town to the local community, ensuring young people and families become aware of what the club offers and hopefully inspire many in the local community to want to come to games and be part of the club.
The funding will see the following initiatives take place:
- Return of the schools’ half time competition.
- Invitation for a small number of targeted local community groups invited to attend fixtures.
- Partner local charity, Invictus Wellbeing to deliver an initiative that gets young people with mental health issues active and engaged with the club, whilst supporting them with their emotional wellbeing and physical health.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Return of Supporters Fund is another commitment from the Premier League to clubs throughout the football pyramid.
“Along with clubs across the country, this grant awarded to FC Halifax Town will help to develop new ways of interacting with fans – both those returning to stadiums and others supporting from home – building upon the huge excitement for the new season.”
The Return of Supporters Fund is the latest financial support the Premier League has provided for wider football through the FSIF during the pandemic. The Matchday Support Fund enabled more than 1,000 clubs from across the National League System, Women’s Football Pyramid and Welsh Premier League to access funding to put enhanced safety measures in place at grounds for fans.
In total, over 2,500 Covid-19 relief grants worth £6.9m have been awarded to clubs through the FSIF since March 2020.
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