The GB Disability Football Association, which is managed by The FA, received a huge boost today after it was confirmed that it would receive £1.3m of funding from UK Sport to prepare the blind football team for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

The funding not only ensures the team will be supported at the Games, but also provide personal awards for players to ensure the best preparation possible for the players over the next four years.

Furthermore, funding will be available for training camps and top level competition to ensure the team is raring to go for the Games in 2016.

Pete Ackerley, The FA's Senior National Game Development Manager, said: “We are delighted that UK Sport has backed our plans for the blind team in Rio in 2016.

"The investment means that our disability players will have four years of support and great preparation programme ahead of the Olympics in order to aim for a medal in Rio.

"Our commitment to the team is part of our overall disability sport strategy which sees The FA support our eight disability teams and our wider grassroots programme which sees disability football the seventh most popular team sport in the country."