FA Charter Standard criteria changes

The criteria for The FA Charter Standard Club programme has been slightly modified to reflect the views of over 37,000 people who were consulted on the development of The FA’s National Game Strategy  2008-12.

Many of the changes also replicate examples of good practice that have been implemented by FA Charter Standard clubs and as a result The FA’s Charter Standard Club programme is further raising standards and supporting the needs of grassroots football. 

From July 2009 all new clubs will have to adhere to the new criteria together with those existing FA Charter Standard Clubs renewing their status in season 2009-10. However, for existing FA Charter Standard clubs a transitional period has been allowed to provide sufficient time and support.

Following the Goals and Enablers of The FA National Game Strategy the additions made to the criteria are as follows:

Goal 1: Growth & Retention

• Clubs to have a link with a local school, FE college or University to recruit new players

Goal 2: Raising Standards

• First Aid equipment to be present on match days and training sessions
• Clubs to implement the Respect programme Codes of Conduct
• Clubs to host a briefing for players, parents/carers, spectators, coaches and managers to discuss on- and off-field behaviour
• Community Clubs to run a workshop on why and how to address poor behaviour and improve standard

Goal 3: Better Players

• One coach to attend The FA Age Appropriate Introductory module by July 2010
• Development and Community Clubs: one coach to attend The FA Youth Award (L3) Module 1 by July 2010
• Community Clubs: one coach to attend The FA Youth Award (L3) Module 2 by July 2011
• No more than 1:16 coaching ratio and two adults present at all sessions/games

Goal 4: Running the Game

• Development and Community Clubs to have a development plan based on the National Game Strategy template

Enabler: Workforce

• A Volunteer Co-ordinator is nominated and roles identified for volunteers in the club
• Development and Community Clubs: Head Coach identified with L2 and Youth Award (L3) Module 1 by July 2010
• Community Clubs: one coach to attend FA Mentoring course by July 2011 

A great deal of support is available from your County Football Association and this includes:

• An Application and Support Resource CD-ROM that has the new criteria and many documents that include the Respect programme Codes of Conduct and development plans.
• Accessing FA Age Appropriate Introductory Module and Youth Award (L3) coaching courses.
• Guidance on developing your club through the Football Development workforce and accessing funding.
• Guidance from the County Welfare Officer on how to address poor behaviour.

Alternatively, documentation can be found by clicking here.

For season 2010-11 it is planned that all clubs will be supported through an annual health check process with their County FA to ensure all existing clubs adhere to the new criteria.