The F.A. Charter Standard Scheme is a national initiative that recognises football clubs for their best practice, provision and delivery of grassroots football.
There are three levels of the Scheme:
- F.A. Charter Standard Clubs
- F.A. Charter Standard Development Clubs and
- F.A. Charter Standard Community Clubs
There is also an award for F.A. Charter Standard Adult Clubs only.
The Scheme looks at the administration of Clubs and the qualification of their coaches. It promotes links with local schools and as you work through the awards looks at the development of more teams, including girls’ football teams and development plans detailing Clubs aspirations and sustainability for the future.
If your Club would like to receive further information on the F.A. Charter Standard Scheme please call the Football Development Team at Derbyshire County Football Association on 01332 361422.
How to become a Charter Standard Club?
Firstly read the information on our website and/or download the attached Charter Standard Club Introductory pack and application form from the related documents section on the right of the screen. See what criteria your club needs to meet to become a charter standard club.
If you feel that your club would like to apply for CS status you will need provide evidence which meets the criteria by collating and presenting this in a folder. Once we have received your application we will check that all the criteria has been met. If we feel your application is not yet complete will advise you on any areas of criteria that have not quite been met.
The application will also be checked by the County Welfare Officer and the County Disciplinary Committee. The Application will then be sent to the FA Charter Standard Dept for accreditation and your club will soon receive the certificate, plaque and UMBRO vouchers from the FA.
CS The Benefits
Being a Charter Standard Club can have a wide variety of benefits to clubs on all fronts, listed below is an example of some of the benefits you would receive from being a FA Charter Standard Club.
• Certificate, Plaque, UMBRO vouchers and use FA logos & promotional material
• Receive Charter Standard and McDonalds newsletters
• Discounted UMBRO kit
• Free U21, Youth & Women’s International tickets
• Increase opportunity to receive external funding, for new Goal Posts, Junior Kit Scheme, Facility and Pitch development and Small Grants Schemes
• In-service training practical & theory
• Take part in FREE festivals with like minded clubs
• Demonstrates to the local community that you are a well organised club
• Increases the opportunities for sponsorship
• Access to Effective Football Club Administration Courses (EFCA's)
If you would like more information on the benefits available to Charter Standard Clubs, please contact Liam Rooney Liam.Rooney@derbyshirefa.com or via phone 01332 361422
Additions to Charter Standard Criteria - See how it could effect your club (Additions in Bold).
The FA Charter Standard Clubs criteria is linked to FA National Game Strategy goals of;
• Growth & Retention
• Raising Standards
• Better Players
• Running the Game
• Volunteer Development
• Facilities
In 2007 53% of Youth football was played in a Charter Standard Club. The National Game Strategy after nationwide consultation has set a target of 75% coverage by 2012.
Listed below are the different criteria for the four different Club Awards
Charter Standard Club
The FA Charter Standard Club Award is for clubs with youth teams under the age of 18.
The award is designed to reward best practice, aid delivery across the club volunteer spectrum and educate coaches and club officials to the minimum FA criteria:
To achieve Charter Standard Club Status the club needs to have the following in place:
Club Constitution/Rules
Copy of Annual Accounts
Code of Conduct for players, coaches, parents and officials
Equity Policy: To show equal opportunities in the club
FA Child Protection Policy: Appoint a designated Child Welfare Officer who should have attended FA Child Protection workshop & completed a FA CRB check
Public Liability (included in County FA Affiliation)
Qualified Coaches: One Coach per youth team should have achieved Level 1 & applied for or completed an enhanced FA CRB check
Minutes from committee meeting's, AGM's and EGM's
School-Club link established - clubs should have a link with at least one school. This could be an informal link to help recruit new players or a more formal link where club coaches may help deliver football sessions
First Aid Equipment - club to ensure first aid equipment is available at all coaching sessions & matches
One coach to have attended The FA Age Appropriate -Introductory Module by July 2009 (new clubs) or July 2010 (existing clubs)
Regular Briefings - club to hold a briefing for players, parents / carers & officials at the start of each season to address acceptable standards of behaviour & promote positive playing environments
Signed up to the RESPECT Programme
Designated Volunteer Co-ordinator
Charter Standard Development Club
Development Status displays a club's determination and commitment to developing their club further and caters for the growing demands on its members to the minimum FA criteria: To achieve this level, club's must have attained The FA Charter Standard Club criteria plus the criteria listed below:
At least five teams playing across four age groups
A 3-5 year football development plan
One club coach to hold The FA / 1st 4sport Level 2 Certificate In Coaching Football Qualification (Lead Coach)
One coach to have achieved The FA Youth Award - Module 1 Certificate by July 2010
Charter Standard Community Club
This is the pinnacle award for Charter Standard Clubs.
The main focus of the Community Club Award is to become the centre of football within the local community. Achieving this award will require the full support, guidance and advice on hand from the Football Development Team. To achieve this prestigious award the club needs to have obtained the following criteria as well as The FA Charter Standard Club and Development Club criteria:
At least ten teams ranging from youth through to adult including a minimum of one female team
Mini Soccer Provision
Boys and girls teams
5 year football development plan
One person to have attended The FA Mentoring Course by July 2010 (new clubs) or July 2011 (existing clubs)
One coach to have achieved The FA Youth Award - Module 2 Certificate by July 2011
A designated school co-ordinator