“Biggest ever drive” to improve quality of grass pitches in England

The Premier League, The Football Association and the Football Foundation have launched what they describe as the “biggest ever drive” to transform the quality of grass pitches across England.

Centred on PitchPower – the Football Foundation’s free web app – the campaign will look to reach those responsible for managing pitches and offer guidance on how to maintain a grass pitch, provide extra training for groundskeepers and offer funding for pitch improvement works.

Through PitchPower, those responsible for grass pitches can inspect the playing surfaces using a step-by-step process. After using the app to submit the inspection results, the user will then receive bespoke advice from experts at the Grounds Management Association (GMA), ranging from tips on grounds management to advice on how to apply for grants of up to £12,800 per pitch.

The campaign is being launched ahead of the winter months, when tens of thousands of grassroots games will be cancelled due natural grass pitches becoming unplayable.

Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation, said: “Quality grass pitches are vital for the grassroots game and yet, every season, thousands of games are called off due to poor playing surfaces.

“Thanks to the support of our partners at the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Football Foundation will be investing £21 million a year to get grass pitches across the country looking and playing their best.”

The foundation has set the target of reaching 20,000 ‘good’ quality grass pitches across the country by 2030.

For more information, visit the Football Foundation’s website: footballfoundation.org.uk/get-your-pitch-match-fit