As mentioned on the front page, Hethersett Athletic has been awarded the prestigious National FA Charter Standard Club award. Below is a Media Release sent out by the FA regarding the scheme.

FA Charter Standard Community Clubs Launched

On Thursday 19th December, the FA launched a new initiative that aims to continue the promotion and support of grassroots football by positioning local clubs at the heart of the community.

The FA's Community Clubs initiative is aimed at developing the structure and quality of clubs - in partnership with the FA's Community Partner McDonalds - building on the foundations of the FA Charter Standard Clubs Scheme.

Emphasising the importance of the initiative Steve Parkin of the FA said: "FA Community Clubs are the cornerstones of the FA National Game strategy. Achieving FA Community Club status will not be easy, but can be achieved by clubs who are committed to putting themselves at the heart of their local football communities, not only for existing participants but for future generations too."

The Community Club Award will provide clubs with a kite-mark to promote their work in football development, enabling them to promote their provision of a safe and quality environment for all interested participants.

All new FA Community Clubs are required to meet FA criteria, ensuring they provide opportunities for players irrespective of age, gender, religion and ability. Clubs must also provide qualified coaches, first-aiders and child protection officers.

All clubs that meet the criteria and achieve FA Community Club status will receive a host of benefits including:

FA Community Club Kitbag - that includes balls, bibs, cones as well as an FA Community Club plaque.

Opportunities for tickets for England youth and women's internationals

Access to a bi-annual newsletter

Mcdonalds will also be donating an additional 1,000 footballs to the first 100 clubs.

The 700 FA Charter Standard Clubs have, in the last 12 months been able to utilise The FAs new kite mark to their advantage in attracting grants and funding for development and facilities. Although gaining Community Club status cannot guarantee funding from the Football Foundation for facility improvement, gaining the kite mark has already been a significant factor in assisting clubs funding applications by providing evidence of a commitment to providing a sporting facility for use by the entire community.

Les Howie, FA National Club Development Manager added: "The FA Charter Standard Community Clubs provide an alternative pyramid for all clubs across the country. We may not all be able to achieve the same playing status as a David Beckham or Shaun Wright-Phillips, but all clubs can become an FA Charter Standard Club.

Criteria for FA Community Club Award

Key Notes:

In July 2000, the FA National Game Division was formed, with the mission to "successfully lead the development and investment in English grassroots football."

In 2001, the FA Football Development Strategy was launched to provide the overall strategic framework for football development in England during the next five-year period (2001-2006), and responded to the Government's policy document "A Sporting Future for All," outining where the FA and Government can work with other Agencies to develop our national game, and use football as a powerful tool for social change.

The Strategy recognised the need to dramatically improve the standards of provision within clubs by introducing a kite marking scheme and, as a result, the FA Charter Standard Club scheme was launched for Junior clubs in February 2001. The aim is to develop 2,500 FA Charter Standard Clubs by 2006.

In addition to raising standards of coaching qualifications, child protection and codes of conduct, research has show that the average number of teams per club in England (approximately 3.8 - the lowest in Europe) leads to a fragmented provision and unclear pathways for players.

The pinnacle of the club development pathway - FA Community Clubs - aims to develop a network of high quality multi-team (minimum of 10 teams) community clubs with excellent social, training and playing facilities.

These FA Community Clubs will be "the hub" for the community; a focal point for those who play, coach, administer and provide volunteer support, and will offer "Football for life" through football opportunities from youth to adult, male to female.

The objective is to develop 500 FA Community Clubs by 2006 with supporting facilities.

The aim is to develop a network of Community Clubs geographically spread, and, serving the country, whose facilities can then also be utilised by local schools and other community groups.

In recent FA research commissioned by MORI for the FA "State of the Nation" poll, "the provision of quality pitches and facilities was the major concern of all samples, with the exception of referees.

In Spring 2003, the FA will launch the FA Facility Development Strategy 2003-2006, addressing the concerns of players in schools, clubs and on park pitches, that will leave a legacy for tomorrow in the creation of facilities to support FA Community Clubs.

The FA currently invests up to £30 million into English grassroots football, £20 million via The Football Foundation. The Football Foundation is hte nation's largest sports charity, and its £53 million budget - funded by the FA, FA Premier League, Sport England and the Government - goes straight into the very heart of football.

The Football Foundation has recently introduced a new fast-track scheme for grants of £10,000 or less. A simplified application process allows quicker bids assessment with grants often awarded within weeks.

For more information on the FA and Community Charter follow the links below

The Football Association

The Football Foundation