BAFA is delighted to announce a new programme to support the growth of youth (U17s) contact football starting this Spring. The Kick-Start programme will be targeted at our current youngest age range for contact football to get more players involved in the sport at an earlier age.

BAFA will initially be investing up to £10,000 in 2011 and is currently in talks with strategic partners to bring-in additional funding to increase this pot. The first-year target for the Kick-Start programme will be to generate up to ten new teams able to compete in Community League tournament play this season. The core strand of the programme will be the provision of playing equipment to allow fast generation of teams. There will also be support towards obtaining further development funding.

BAFA Director, Jim Messenger, said; 'We have long realised that there needs to be greater investment in our grass roots programmes where the financial challenges for participants are particularly demanding. As BAFA moves towards a more unified body, it is becoming easier to act strategically for the benefit of all. By investing in Youth football we provide the opportunity to generate more younger players, with the potential to stay longer and achieve more in the sport.'

The full details for Kick-Start support will be publicised at the beginning of March 2011, at which time interested parties will be invited to submit applications.