Grading set to go digital

By Matt Badcock

UPGRADES: Ground grading has a new outlook under FA chief Laurence Jones, inset

Ground Grading is set to be modernised and digitised with the aim to assess every stadium in the National League System by the end of the year.

The Football Association and Premier League have teamed up to launch the new Stadium Accreditation Programme from next month.

It comes after an 18-month consultation and research period with the game’s stakeholders and will see ground grading data be collected by the Premier League Stadium fund, financed by the Premier League.

The process will be digitised for the first time thanks to the creation of a new digital tool called stadiumPower.

It’s hoped it will give The FA an overview of the quality of facilities across the whole of Non-League and aid understanding the challenges facing clubs and leagues and help direct funds where they are most needed.

Laurence Jones, The FA’s Head of the National League System, said: “Ground grading is an important touch point between clubs, leagues and The FA, and is an area of the National League System that we have been looking to make enhancements on for some time.

“This project will enable the modernisation of the monitoring and compliance of the ground-grading process and it will provide the opportunity to take a strategic approach to facility development in the NLS.”

Consulted

Through the live digital platform, clubs will be able to update any changes or improvements they carry out and keep track of works that are required.

The programme will be rolled out this July with leagues and clubs set to be given more details in the coming weeks on the process and when each stadium will be visited.

Mark Harris, The FA’s Ground Grading Sub-Committee chairman, said: “We thank the Premier League Stadium Fund for taking on the important role of developing and administering the new Stadium Accreditation Programme, and having consulted with and presented to the NLS Leagues, they gave their unanimous support.” The Football Foundation – funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government – deliver the Premier League Stadium Fund and chief executive Robert Sullivan said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for the Premier League Stadium Fund, and we are delighted to be working closely with The FA on this project.

“From the research we carried out in 2021, modernising and digitising the ground-grading process was something that was raised regularly by clubs.

“By assuming responsibility for this work, not only can we ensure that Stadium Accreditation is carried out in an independent and consistent way, but it will also ensure that we are directing the funding where it is needed most.”