The Premier League and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) launched a new fund to provide all Premier League clubs with the chance to consolidate, develop and enhance the many programmes they now deliver in the community.

The PL/PFA Community Fund is administered by the Football Foundation and is investing £12.9m into a wide range of stimulating and innovative club projects that address key social issues such as health, education and social inclusion.

The PL/PFA Community Fund was launched in 2008 at Aston Villa's groundbreaking 'Villa Vitality' health project, which was one of the first recipients of a grant from the Fund. At the launch Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said:

"For many years the Premier League and its clubs have played a major role in delivering work in the community. But what started as simple football coaching has developed into something far more wide-reaching.

"Linked to football, the opportunities are virtually limitless. Premier League clubs now employ qualified teachers to help raise educational standards, health trainers to teach young people about living a healthy lifestyle and social workers to encourage those who need help getting work or back into education."

The Premier League/PFA Community Fund opened for business at the start of the 2007/08 season and has already invested in 32 different projects.
The Fund's priority is given to projects which use the power of football to address social issues and increase participation. These sustainable projects are required to run for a minimum of three years and must clearly demonstrate links to the following themes (which are closely aligned to the priorities of the Football Foundation):
• Health and wellbeing
• Education and lifelong learning
• Social Inclusion
• Equality
PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor, who is also Chair of the Premier League/PFA Community Fund, said:

"The PFA have been at the forefront of community work since the mid 1980's when the game was at its lowest ebb. Investment in community schemes, education programmes and projects such as the Prince's Trust Football Initiative have been central to our work.

"Player involvement has also been significant and the PFA have worked tirelessly to ensure its members understand their responsibilities and continue to help effect positive change in society.

"The concept of football's social responsibility to the community has been a unique initiative setting a great example to the rest of the sporting world on how far sport can use its influence for good.

"I am confident that the new Premier League/PFA funding partnership will have a huge impact on local communities for many years to come."
Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe expressed his support for the Fund, saying:

"This is another good example of our national game giving something back to local communities and the positive impact that football can have on the lives of young people.

"The Government and football have built a strong relationship through the Football Foundation and jointly invested in excellent projects similar to those that will benefit from the Premier League/PFA Community Fund. It's good to see that football is not standing still and is continuing to distribute money to the grassroots."

For more on the Premier League/PFA Community Fund click here

Other stories on projects with funding from the PL/PFA Community Fund:
'Fit to play' project launches across Hull
(Fulham players support CSPAN)
(Van Der Sar at 'Something To Chew On')
(Middlesbrough Enterprise Academy - Boro's Got Talent!)
(Newcastle United Match Fit project)