Origins of the Charity

The Plymouth Argyle Supporters Training & Development Trust was originally formed in 1995 by various organised Plymouth Argyle supporters associations throughout the country, following an approach from the then manager of Plymouth Argyle football club, Mr Neil Warnock. At the time, it was widely acknowledged that young footballers within the United Kingdom lacked some of the technical ability that seemed to be developed elsewhere in Europe.  Further, it was clear that training opportunities for young persons at grass roots level were particularly lacking in the south west of England.

Our Objectives

Our primary objective is to provide and assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation for the benefit of young persons under 18 and resident in the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset and in particular to provide education and training in the skills and techniques in football, so that due attention is given to the education and development of such persons.

We have sought to encourage participation in association football throughout the south west of England through education and training programmes and the establishment of sound relationships with various youth organisations and youth leagues.

Historical Operations

For many years, we established close links with the youth development programme of Plymouth Argyle football club. In short, we set up a network of coaching centres / soccer schools around the south west where young persons of any ability could attend to receive coaching in football skills from qualified coaches at affordable cost. Those youngsters displaying the most talent would then be selected to attend Centres of Excellence in Plymouth or Bodmin for more advanced training which might possibly lead to the offer to them of training contracts with PAFC.

However this arrangement came to an end in 2007 when Plymouth Argyle football club took over full responsibility for running the various training centres 

Current Activities

The Trustees currently make annual grants to suitable local youth and sports organisations to assist them in providing association football training and to encourage participation in organised leagues. We also seek to provide opportunities for young persons to get involved, irrespective of their footballing ability, academic ability, financial circumstances or social position.

We therefore invite applications for grants from organisations and individuals based in the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

Grants may be made for a variety of reasons, including:

• providing football kit and equipment for junior football teams;
• paying fees required to engage suitable coaches;
• funding young persons to attend appropriate training courses;
• funding participation in suitable junior football tournaments;
• assisting with improving facilities at junior football clubs;
• arranging days out for young persons to suitable professional football matches

All applications will be assessed on their individual merits and there is no need to have any connection with Plymouth Argyle football club. For larger grants, an element of matched funding from the applicant would be desirable but not necessarily essential. However, please note that grants for major capital projects are unlikely to be accepted at the present time.

Over the last few years we have made a variety of grants: examples include:

• Grants to various junior clubs to pay for additional coaches and training equipment allowing more junior players to attend training sessions;
• Grants to Schools Football Associations enabling them to enter teams in organised schools football festivals in the Isle of Wight and Jersey;
• Working with Faith and Football providing grants to assist in the running of several junior football leagues in deprived areas of Plymouth;
• Specialist football courses arranged for the Young Carers organisation in Plymouth, run in association with the Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community charity.

How to Apply

You can apply in three ways:-

(a) by downloading a PDF document from this location - www.argyletrust.org.uk/appform.pdf

(b) by emailing a request for an application form from our Secretary, Jeremy Wills (jeremywills@hotmail.co.uk)

(c) writing to Jeremy at 14 Moorcroft Close, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1XB

Application forms should then be posted to Jeremy at the address shown above.

Grants will normally be awarded around the start of May each year. Applications should therefore be sent to us by 31 January each year to allow us time to examine these and to seek further information, should this be required.

Requests for funding at other times of the year may be considered should funds be available. Please contact the Secretary, preferably by email to jeremywills@hotmail.co.uk for further information.

Following the award of grants, we will require you to provide evidence that funds have been utilised for the reasons specified in the application.

Full details of our requirements will be provided when any grant is awarded.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE SUPPORTERS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT TRUST

Registered Charity No. 1056117