Barclays grants available to help more women become grassroots coaches

The Barclays Community Sport Fund has opened applications for grants designed to help more women become qualified coaches in grassroots football, tennis and cricket.

Clubs and community groups across the UK can apply for grants of £200 per coach, with funding available for up to two female coaches per organisation.

The funding can be used towards a Level 1 or equivalent introductory coaching qualification, alongside any additional safeguarding and first-aid requirements.

Applications are open until 5pm on Wednesday 4 November 2026, although the fund may close earlier if it receives a high volume of applications.

APPLY FOR THE FEMALE COACHES FOR GIRLS GRANT

About the Female Coaches for Girls Grant

Barclays believes in creating opportunities for everyone through access to sport.

Through the Barclays Community Sport Fund, grants are being made available to help more women across the UK become qualified to coach women and girls at grassroots level.

Increasing the number of high-quality female coaches is crucial to improving standards, meeting growing demand and providing women and girls with visible local role models.

Who is eligible to apply?

The fund is open to clubs and groups delivering football, cricket or tennis activities for women and girls that want to help more female coaches gain qualifications.

Eligible not-for-profit organisations include:

• Grassroots sports clubs
• Registered charities
• Community groups
• Youth groups

Applications must be submitted by the organisation on behalf of the individual who will undertake the coaching qualification.

Organisations based in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply.

Clubs and groups that have previously received funding through the Barclays Community Sport Fund are still eligible.

Female coach eligibility

Each female coach included in an application must:

• Be aged 16 or over, or 18 or over where required by the individual course
• Already coach girls or want to begin coaching
• Be connected to a club or group providing activities for women or girls
• Be able to undertake the qualification within 12 months, subject to course availability

The prospective coach could be an existing player, the parent of a player, a volunteer or another person connected to the organisation.

Applications from women with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are particularly encouraged, helping ensure the programme reflects the communities it serves.

How much funding is available?

Clubs and groups can apply for £200 per female coach.

Each organisation can apply for funding for up to two coaches, providing a maximum grant of:

2 × £200 = £400 per club or group

The grant can contribute towards:

• A Level 1 or equivalent introductory coaching qualification
• Relevant safeguarding requirements
• Relevant first-aid requirements

If a course costs less than £200, the remaining funding can be used towards expenses, equipment or additional training.

If the course costs more than £200, the grant can be used as a contribution towards the total cost.

What can the funding be used for?

Funding must be used to place female coaches on a Level 1 or equivalent introductory coaching course in:

• Football
• Tennis
• Cricket

The funding cannot be used for higher-level qualifications, including Level 2 or UEFA C courses.

Qualifications in futsal, Gaelic football, padel and pickleball are not eligible.

What should the application include?

Applicants will need to explain how qualifying a new female coach will support the development or expansion of activities for women and girls.

Clubs should explain:

• Why the individual would make a strong coach
• How the qualification will help the organisation
• What positive impact the coach will have on women and girls
• How the coach will support the development or growth of activities

What documents are required?

Applicants must provide the following:

1. A governing document

This could be the organisation’s club constitution or Articles of Association.

If a National Governing Body template is being used, it must include the organisation’s name and show that it has been formally adopted.

Registered charities and companies can provide their charity or company number instead.

Individuals, sole traders and companies limited by shares are not eligible.

2. A recent bank statement

The bank statement must:

• Be in the name of the organisation applying
• Have been issued within the previous three months
• Clearly display the account name, sort code and account number
• Match the organisation’s name

Transactions and account balances do not need to be visible.

Personal bank accounts and accounts named only “Community” cannot be accepted.

Applicants will also need to confirm that their organisation:

• Operates on a not-for-profit basis
• Has an up-to-date safeguarding policy
• Has an up-to-date health and safety policy
• Holds appropriate insurance for its activities

Are schools eligible?

Schools and other educational institutions are not eligible to apply.

Charities supporting schools may be considered where their activities are open to girls from the wider community and not restricted to pupils from one school.

Activities may take place at school facilities, but the fund cannot support coaches who work exclusively during curriculum time or in school-only after-school clubs.

How is the course booked?

Successful applicants will receive the funding directly into their club or group’s bank account.

The organisation can then book the relevant course and pay the course provider directly.

The appropriate course will depend on the sport, qualification level and the country in which the coach is based.

Funding should ideally be spent within six months, and the coaching qualification must be undertaken within 12 months.

Can an application be saved and completed later?

No. The application must be completed and submitted in one session.

Applicants should have the following ready before beginning:

• A recent organisational bank statement
• A governing document, company number or charity number
• Details of the female coach or coaches being nominated
• Information explaining the expected impact of the qualification

When will applicants receive a decision?

Applications will be assessed as they are received.

Applicants should hear from the Sported grants team within four weeks of submitting their application.

Successful organisations will also be asked to provide feedback explaining how the coach has supported the development of activities for women and girls.

Some recipients may be selected for an audit and asked to provide evidence of the course booking and payment.

VIEW THE GRANT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Application deadline

The Female Coaches for Girls Grant is open until:

5pm on Wednesday 4 November 2026

The fund may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received, so eligible clubs are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

APPLY HERE

Organisations requiring additional accessibility support with their application can contact Sported at barclays@sported.org.uk.

Further information is available from the official Barclays Female Coaches for Girls Grant page.