All Whites World Cup legacy lives on at grassroots

Brazil 2014 may already be on the horizon but the legacy of the All Whites’ 2010 World Cup campaign lives on, with future football stars through to struggling rural communities the latest recipients of funds their success in South Africa generated.

The second allocation of funds from the New Zealand Football Foundation’s endowment fund will see more than $100,000 distributed to individuals and clubs throughout the country, just a month out from the start of the All Whites first 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

While the latest grants includes money to support talented players, a significant amount has also gone to helping communities provide better facilities for those wanting to play.

Chairman of the foundation, Andrew Clements, says making money available to rural communities where clubs are often struggling to provide facilities for young people is particularly gratifying and a fitting tribute to the legacy of the 2010 All Whites.

He says a number of noteworthy grants stand out from the nearly100 applications received.

“For example, the grant to the Hokowhitu Junior Football Club in Palmerston North will subsidise affiliation fees for newly-settled refugees and unemployed young people desperate to play the sport.

“Also the Marist Soccer Club in Whangarei will get money to help talented children get the development coaching they needed, but were unable to afford. Funds are also going towards expansion of facilities in Kawerau, an area struggling to provide resources for players.”

He says the foundation has been able to help a number of individual familiesstruggling with the costs of getting their children to coaching and competitions around the country.

Money is allocated in accordance with the foundation’s six criteria, which focus on supporting individuals, families, teams, clubs, support organisations, regional football federations and national talent development.

Last year senior All White Ivan Vicelich said he and his fellow teammates were delighted to see the fruits of their success flow through to players throughout the country.

“There can be no more satisfying legacy for our achievement in South Africa than having the next generation follow in our footsteps and hopefully go even further.”

The fund was established with money from FIFA as a result of the All Whites’ World Cup achievements. It allocates funds twice each year. The first round of payments was in October last year. A third funding round is expected in October this year.