Secretaries of parks football leagues throughout south-east Essex were among those around the country this week receiving a £230,000 boost.

The cash comes from from the Football Association, as a new financial assistance scheme was extended to assist 11-a-side competitions around the country.

The funding is available for all leagues outside the National Leagues System (below Level 4) to ease their administrative burden, with the grants able to be claimed against the purchase of new computers, computer-related equipment or office equipment.

The maximum grant available per league is £800, and is dependant on the size of the league, and the registered numbers of teams, ensuring larger leagues consequently receive a higher level of financial assistance.

FA National Leagues Manager Greg Fee said: "The millions of players who play on the country's parks every week often give little thought to the league secretaries -- many of whom are volunteers -- who play a critical role in administering the game.

"This financial aid should help ease the burden on these individuals, and encourage them to ensure their league become part of the FA's League Admin-istration System (LAS) launched earlier this year."

Application forms were sent out earlier this week to Saturday, Sunday and youth leagues, and applications once made will be verified by the local County FA before being forwarded to the FA.

The deadline for submission of applications to the scheme is June 1.

If your league have not received an application form, contact Greg Fee c/o the Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London, W1D 4FA.

Published Friday, April 18, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo