YOUNG footballers in the Tonbridge area can look forward to some excellent new facilities thanks to a £153,500 grant from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.

The cash boost will allow the Tonbridge Mini Soccer Alliance to construct a new clubhouse at their ground in the Castle area of the town. The new pavilion will house four changing rooms and match official's changing area to complement the existing three adult, five junior and ten mini soccer pitches.

The site is currently used by 29 junior and mini soccer teams and three adult teams who have had to squeeze into the two changing rooms provided.

Due to the increasing popularity of mini soccer the site can no longer meet demand. The new facilities will allow increased participation and allow partnerships to develop between clubs, schools and the local community.

A special emphasis will be placed on developing the game among local girls and disabled groups who have often felt excluded from the national game. Three disabled groups have already expressed an interest in using the site.

The Football Foundation spending in Kent has funded projects worth over £2m, with initiatives worth almost £3m currently under consideration.

The Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by The FA Premier League, The FA, Sport England and the Government, the Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with a £53m budget going straight into the heart of football.

Foundation chief executive Peter Lee said: "Mini soccer is the future of football and we are delighted to able to award this money to support the next generation of players coming into the game."

He added: "Our congratulations go to the Tonbridge Mini Soccer Alliance for this fantastic project that will be of real benefit to their players and their community."