The Football Foundation has continued to make enormous strides in its quest to revitalise the country's sporting landscape. Now in its 8th year in operation, the Foundation has invested in over 6000 projects all over England, worth a staggering £716m.

This year has also seen the Foundation secure future funding from its three partners the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government. The Foundation announced the new deal - worth £135m over the next three years - in the shadow of Wembley Stadium.

The Stonebridge site is a great example of the type of project which the Foundation has funded. It is investing over £1million into state-of-the-art facilities including a new four-room changing pavilion, a mini gym, a café, a multi-purpose sports hall and training rooms for coach and referee education.

Each of the three funding partners has agreed to invest £15m per year over the next three years to enable the Football Foundation to continue its work.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, who was instrumental in the setting up of the Football Foundation in 2000, said: "The Football Foundation has shown itself to be a massive force for good in the last eight years, increasing opportunities for young people to get involved in our national game and other sports, whether as players or coaches. It has also dramatically improved many sports facilities for communities up and down the country.

"This unique partnership is a shining example of what can be done when the governing bodies of sport work in partnership with Government to deliver a streamlined investment programme into grass roots sport."

Richard Scudamore added: "Redistributing a substantial amount down through the game to improve the quality and accessibility of football for all remains something the Premier League fundamentally believes in. Our commitment to a further three years funding of the Foundation will continue to make a positive impact on the grass roots of the game."

Elsewhere the Foundation has been equally active. They unveiled Arsenal and England striker Theo Walcott as their Junior Kit Scheme Ambassador. This is a £1m-a-year scheme that provides school teams, Under 18 clubs and adults with learning disabilities with £400 vouchers to get Nike football strips and equipment. Over 210,000 youngsters have been kitted out by the scheme so far. Theo visited his old primary school in Compton, West Berkshire to give pupils a free football strip and take part in a training session.

At the school Theo said: "I know how important it is for young players to feel they are wearing the best kit when running out on the pitch. The Junior Kit Scheme is a great opportunity to get free kit just like I wear in the Premier League from the Football Foundation."

The Football Foundation has also started an innovative new 'Player Panel' with Nike.

This exciting initiative is open to young volunteers aged under 25 who can win a prize of £10,000 to be invested in their community-based sports projects.

The Player Panel comprises of four top players, who assess applications for their region of the country. The Panel is made up of Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor (Midlands), Newcastle United's Steven Taylor (North East), Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves (North West) and Arsenal's Theo Walcott (South).

For more information on the Football Foundation, visit:www.footballfoundation.org.uk

Other stories on projects involving the Football Foundation:

Cudicini signals Extra Time for health project

Curbishley opens new £2.5m sports facility

Olympic legend goes beyond sport

Cantona visits Football Foundation project