Cambridgeshire FA has kicked off a partnership with community sport organisation GiveToLocal, which aims to help grassroots clubs secure regular financial assistance from people and businesses within their local communities. 

The agreement sees Cambridgeshire become the latest county Football Association to enter into a formal partnership with GiveToLocal.

It comes at a particularly difficult time for local clubs as they struggle to cope with the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

GiveToLocal, in tandem with the Cambridgeshire FA, will support clubs from across our area - helping them to strengthen connections with their local communities, secure much needed short-term help and, most importantly, help to develop long term relationships. 

Joanne Bull, Chief Executive Officer at Cambridgeshire FA, said: “I think GiveToLocal is a great initiative.

“I love the way that the concept is centred around the club itself and the wider local community - rather than simply encouraging interaction with no attachment to either.

“It has the potential to be able to build up communities and I like the way that local businesses are also able to offer targeted discounts to their community as well.

“The model that GiveToLocal have built goes full circle and I really love that aspect of it.”

Having launched in 2019, GiveToLocal is already working alongside several county FAs including Northumberland, North Riding, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Staffordshire.

The innovative service provider has also received support from the Premier League with Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum, Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend and Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe all throwing their weight behind the organisation.

In addition to football, GiveToLocal recently opened its doors to eight more community sports.

And the move has already been lauded by high profile supporters Les Ferdinand, Steve Harmison and Adam Peaty.

In addition to the move to support extra community sports, GiveToLocal has also launched its #InspiredToGive campaign, in order to spread some much needed positivity across grassroots sport.

GiveToLocal was established with the aim of providing grassroots clubs with a sustainable income model - helping them to progress now and in the future.

And with a user-friendly application designed to connect clubs to local businesses within their communities, there is an opportunity for teams across Cambridgeshire to approach the post-coronavirus era with confidence.

Joanne added: “I think the benefits for the clubs that are a part of GiveToLocal will be that there is an opportunity for them to be able to reach out to their immediate communities.

“GiveToLocal, as a platform, will be another means of keeping communities together.

“Once we begin to move out of lockdown, I think people will be really keen to support local initiatives, so I think that the 'local-ness' will be very appealing to people.

“GiveToLocal can be a platform for clubs to raise some much-needed extra funds to help them out during these challenging times.”

And a delighted Colin Stromsoy, Director of Strategic Partnerships at GiveToLocal, echoed Jo’s words regarding the new partnership.

“This is a really exciting development for us and we’re thrilled that Cambridgeshire FA has chosen to work with us,” he said.

“At the moment, the road ahead for grassroots clubs and local businesses is one full of uncertainty.

“Now, more than ever, we need to make sure we’re all pulling together to come through these challenging times.

“I have no doubt that Cambridgeshire FA will be an excellent partner for GiveToLocal and I am incredibly excited to be working with Jo and her team as we look towards the future.”

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