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George Osborne announces £50 million funding boost boost to build Manchester City’s new football academy

Grassroots football received a £50 million boost from Government today with funding to build state-of-the-art facilities and develop the next generation of England football talent.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced the deal as he opened Manchester City’s new football academy.

The funding will back the Football Association’s plan to improve grassroots facilities across the country and will help create 150 multi-sport hubs across 30 cities.

£8 million a year will go into the facilities, helping to build over 400 new 3G pitches, while £2 million a year will go into coaching.

The government’s investment will be match-funded by the FA alongside further contributions from other partners such as the Premier League and Football League clubs and local authorities with a shared ambition for over £200 million of total funding.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Sajid Javid said: “Investing in building state-of-the-art 3G pitches up and down the country is a real boost to grassroots sport.”

Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, said: “I am delighted that the Government has shown its support for the England Commission’s drive to significantly improve grassroots football facilities and coaching.

“I would like to thank the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for their personal backing, the DCMS and Sport England for their continued support, and all our other key partners including Local Authorities, the Premier League and Football League.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .