We believe that football should be accessible to every child, regardless of financial circumstances. VPFC is proud to offer Funded Places for children from low-income families, ensuring they can enjoy football at no cost.
What Does a Funded Place Cover?
✔️ Full club membership – Free access to all training sessions for a full season.
✔️ Kit support – A free club kit (expected to last two years).
✔️ Extra opportunities – Inclusion in any additional chargeable club events (e.g., Mascot games as St Albans City).
💡 Ever6 Model – If your child qualifies for a funded place through receipt of FSM or Pupil Premium, they will continue to receive it for up to six years at VPFC, ensuring long-term access to football without financial concerns.
Who Can Apply?
Funded places are available for families who meet at least one of the following criteria:
✔️ Free School Meals (FSM) – If your child receives FSM, they qualify.
✔️ Pupil Premium (Ever6) – If your child’s school receives pupil premium funding for them, they qualify.
✔️ Qualifying Benefits – Families receiving any of the following are eligible:
- Universal Credit (household income below £7,400/year)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income-Based)
- Employment & Support Allowance (Income-Related)
- Child Tax Credit (without Working Tax Credit, and annual income below £16,190)
📌 Proof of Eligibility – Any of the following is accepted:
- A confirmation letter from your benefit provider.
- A school email sent directly to victoriaplayingfieldsfc@gmail.com confirming FSM/Pupil Premium eligibility.
➡️ Attendance Requirement – To keep a funded place, children must attend regularly. If they miss 6 consecutive sessions, the place may be reallocated to another child.
How to Apply 📩
1️⃣ Complete Your Free Trial – Every new member gets two free weeks to try VPFC. Attend sessions first to confirm you’d like to continue.
2️⃣ Apply for a Funded Place – Email victoriaplayingfieldsfc@gmail.com with your child’s name, year group, and proof of eligibility.
- Or, if you prefer, speak to your Year Group Head Coach or a member of our committee in the first instance.
3️⃣ Approval & Kit – Once approved, we’ll confirm your place and provide your club kit.
🔹 Privacy Note: All application details are confidential and only reviewed by the club’s Executive Team. Your information will not be shared with coaches or other members.
Skills Section vs. League Section Funded Places
✔️ Zero-cost funded places apply to our Skills Section – This includes weekly Saturday morning training sessions.
✔️ League Section (U7+) – Partial Support – Due to the higher costs involved (e.g., league fees, referees, pitch hire), we cannot guarantee fully funded places in the League section. However, we encourage parents to notify us of financial circumstances, and we will reduce costs as much as possible to keep football affordable.
Sponsor a Funded Place 🏆
Would you or your business like to help fund a child’s place at VPFC? Your support removes barriers and allows children to access the health and social benefits of sport.
✔️ £100 covers one child’s membership for a full year.
✔️ £500 supports a child for five years.
✔️ £700 funds places for one child in every year group for a season.
If you’d like to sponsor a place, please contact our Treasurer at victoriaplayingfieldsfc@gmail.com. Sponsorships can be public (logo/name on this page) or anonymous.
What’s Next?
If you need support, or you’d like to sponsor a place, don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make football accessible for all! ⚽🙌