What is the scheme?
The Goalpost Safety Scheme provides grants to replace unsafe goalposts.
The Goalpost Safety Scheme will be relaunched on 1 August 2008. Redyset inflatable mini-soccer (12' x 6') goals and 9v9 (16' x 7') goals will be included on the scheme from this date.
Orders submitted to suppliers after 1 August may incur a price increase. Applications received after 1 May will be offered subject to any price increases.
Can you apply?
Applications are welcome from FA affiliated clubs, local authorities, schools (that demonstrate commitment to football and FA Charter Standard), local community groups and clubs in the National League System Step 7 and below. Clubs in Steps 3 - 6 of the National League System can apply for replacement goals for their U18 youth teams. This applies where the under-18s team does not use the same pitch as the Club’s first team.
Those that are ineligible to apply include professional clubs including their Academies and Centres of Excellence; clubs that do not have an open membership policy, clubs in the National League System Steps 1 and 2 and commercial operators.
Goals may be purchased using suitable suppliers (see related documents). Any goal purchased from any other source outside of this will be deemed ineligible for funding. The Foundation does not fund retrospectively and will not consider applications for goals which are ordered or purchased before an offer of grant aid has been made.
What do we give money for?
To replace goals which fail to meet the British Standards safety requirements, as well as providing funding for new goals to ensure that all goals purchased for grassroots football meet British Standards EN 748 (2004) and 8462 (2005). They must also meet The FA's Guidance Notes Parts 1 and 2.
The goals we target for replacement include:
pre-1996 i.e. before British Standards were produced
metal cup hooks on posts and crossbars
wooden
freestanding
Mini-Soccer goals which are now incomplete
corroded or rusted.
How much money can we give you?
An individual grant cannot exceed 50% of the cost of a pair of goals up to a ceiling of £3,000. An applicant (such as a local authority) may apply for up to a maximum of 10 grants.
Guidance and advice
From 16 July 2007 new criteria applies to the Goalpost Safety Scheme (GSS).
The GSS application is a short and easy form to complete. If you have any questions about completing the form you can read the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If your question can not be answered, applicants should make contact with the Goalpost Safety Scheme Officer goalpostsafety@footballfoundation.org.uk or by calling 0845 345 4555 ext 4214.
Guidance notes have been produced by The FA to assist applicants with the process of checking the standard of goals.
Frequently asked question?
Can I buy goals now and make an application for a grant later?
No, this would be classed as retrospective funding, which the Foundation does not support.
Applicants looking for funding for goalposts are required to complete an application form first and then wait for authorisation from the Football Foundation before purchasing goals. The grant aid process appears on page one of the application pack.
Does the Foundation fund the installation of new goalposts?
No, successful applicants are not eligible to use any of their grant aid to assist with the installation of goalposts. Please note - it is important that goalpost manufacturers’ guidance is followed closely and goalposts are correctly installed as per manufacturers’ instructions.
Does an applicant need freehold or a lease on the land where the goals will be placed in order to be eligible for goalpost funding?
Either a freehold, or, a lease of land is required to gain funding.
1) The organisation must have security of tenure via freehold. (This will be if the applicant own the land) or,
2) The organisation must have security of tenure via a lease. (This would be a lease gained via the landowner for example land owned by the Parish Council etc.)
We ask that a copy of this document is supplied with the application form. If the above documentation is unavailable then please provide a supporting letter from the land owners, detailing the arrangement you have with the pitch provider and attach with your form. The letter should be signed and where possible be on letter headed paper with contact details of the signature. For your application to be assessed further we shall require one of the above documents to be sent to the Goalpost Safety Officer.
How much can we expect to pay for delivery?
All prices quoted on suppliers’ information sheet include delivery.
Can our club buy goals through a local provider?
No. Goals must be purchased direct through one of the scheme's suitable suppliers noted in the application pack, or on the Foundation’s website (see related documents).
Can I purchase goals that are not currently listed on the application form?
No. The Foundation can only provide grant aid for the goals listed on the suppliers' flyers.
Our organisation has a building society account instead of a bank account, can the Foundation transfer the grant aid into this?
The Foundation cannot transfer the grant aid into a Building Society account. Please provide an alternative club bank account to transfer the grant aid into. If this is not possible, a cheque can be sent to your organisation if requested in advance.
Decision process.
A goalpost safety application is judged purely on whether the group meet the necessary criteria are supported by their County FA and demonstrate a need for new, or replacement goalposts. If they do, they are offered a grant, if not, the application is ineligible for support.
When an application is submitted to the Foundation it is then forwarded to the relevant County FA. Once they have given their support the application is checked for eligibility and for any missing details i.e. supporting documents, by an administrator. The application is processed and if successful the applicant will receive a letter within 10 weeks stating the grant awarded. The applicant then places an order with a suitable supplier.
The Foundation does not fund retrospectively and will not consider applications for goals which are ordered or purchased before an offer of grant aid has been made.
How to apply?
Please contact Gary Knight at gary.knight@dorsetfa.com or 01202 688278 for further details and an application pack. You can now complete an application form online at the Football Foundation website (see related links) or you can download a paper application form (see related documents).