City Of Salford League first in Greater Manchester to get Charter Standard status.
The Manchester FA are delighted to announce the first league to attain Charter Standard League Status as the City of Salford League have recently been awarded the status and will enter the upcoming new season as the only League affiliated to Manchester FA to have such a prestigious kitemark in recognition of their work at a grassroots level.
The league currently offers football divisions ranging from U7s to U13s and this includes the new 9v9 format of football for U11s as from 2009-10 season.
The League currently has 120 teams playing and Tracey Henry (Development Co-ordinator for COSL) commented: "We are delighted to have achieved recognition as an FA Charter Standard League and being the first makes this equally fulfilling in its achievement. However, the hard work really does start here and the recognition from The FA has now established a benchmark for the league and the management committee to succeed. The formulation of the Football Development Plan and the help of Manchester FA will assist and guide us to achieve our goals.’
Colin Bridgford, Football Development Manager for Manchester FA, re-iterated his delight and added: "The City of Salford League have formulated an extensive Football Development Plan that focuses on the key issues within The FA’s National Game Strategy.
"They have looked at innovative ways in supporting and increasing the number of players and teams at a local level, particularly within Salford. The football development plan also focuses on the game's workforce; its volunteers, coaches and referees and offers a wide range of opportunities to support coach education and continual development.
"I am equally as delighted for Football in Salford and the clubs, teams and coaches within the local area who have a League and Management Committee that will challenge the barriers and create opportunities for all who wish to play football."
The FA's National League Development Manager Andrew Hailwood, who assessed The City of Salford Leagues application for the status, commented: "It’s so refreshing to see the support for the workforce and coach education, overall the plan is one of the best of those that has been seen so far, my congratulations to the league and their work."
For more information on The City of Salford League, log on to their website by
clicking here.