FA National Game Strategy 2008-2012

The FA National Game Strategy was developed after nationwide consultation which
included a series of regional Your Game Your Say events, as well as focus groups,
research and online feedback.
The FA Charter Standard Club criteria is linked to FA National Game Strategy goals of:

• Growth and Retention
• Raising Standards
• Better Players
• Running the Game
• Volunteer Development
• Facilities.

In 2007, 53% of Youth football involved FA Charter Standard Clubs.
The National Game Strategy, after nationwide consultation, has set a target of 75%
coverage by 2012.

FA Charter Standard Club and Adult Club

Growth and Retention

1. Affiliated to CFA - Your Club must be an affiliated/member of a County
   Football Association or The FA.
2. At least one team in an affiliated league - You must have at least one team that plays in an FA affiliated league.
3. School-Club Link established - You should have a link with at least one
   school - this could be informal, from where you recruit players, to a more
   formal link, where you may help deliver some football coaching or organise
   an inter-class festival.

Raising Standards

1. Code of Conduct - Clubs should use The FA Respect Codes of Conduct,
   which covers players, officials, parents and spectators.
2. Good disciplinary record - As a FA Charter Standard Club you are expected to
   have a good disciplinary record. Please see the Discipline power point. We
   recognise that sometimes things will go wrong but the challenge as a FA
   Charter Standard Club is how you deal with this using your own code of conduct.
3. CWO-WOW trained - You must have a Child Welfare Officer who has
   attended FA Safeguarding and Welfare Officer training.
4. CRB for all volunteers - Your Club must follow guidance set by The FA in
   ensuring all adults who have regular access to young people have had checks
   carried out by The FA CRB unit.
5. Emergency Aid trained with every team - Minimum FA Emergency Aid.
6. Signed up to FA Respect Campaign by July 09 - Sign up through your CFA/FA.
7. First aid equipment - The Club ensures that there is first aid equipment at all coaching sessions and matches.
8. Regular briefings - The Club holds a briefing for players, parents/carers and
   officials at start of each season, covering the acceptable standard of behavior
   and the need for positive playing environments.

Better Players

1. FA Level 1 coach with every team below U16 - At least one FA Level 1 coach
   per team.
2. 2. One Coach to have attended FA Age Appropriate - Introductory Module
   from July 2009 for new Clubs and July 10 for existing Clubs.
3. 3. Player/coach ratio - The player/coach ratio for coaching sessions reflects FA
   guidelines – two adults always present. No more than 1-16.
   

Running the Game

1. Club rules - The Club should have a set of rules/constitution. You can adopt
   the example given in The FA Charter Standard Club resource.
2. Annual Club Accounts - These should be produced and presented to your
   AGM, with a copy forwarded to the CFA.
3. PL Insurance - All Clubs MUST have as a minimum Public Liability insurance.
   Please check with your CFA, as in many instances this is included with your
   affiliation. This will cover football activities – however, if your club undertakes
   other activities, e.g. fun coaching for U6s, you will need to get additional
   cover as this age group is not affiliated to The FA.
4. Equity Policy - Please adopt and follow The FA policy as provided in the
   resource.

Volunteer Development

1. Volunteer Co-coordinator - This person should support other volunteers, help
   with the recruitment of volunteers. Please see role profile to assist you in the
   resource.
2. 2. Football Workforce - The club uses Football Workforce so that coaches and
   volunteers have job descriptions with clear roles and responsibilities. Copies
   available from your CFA or online at www.TheFA.com.
3. In service – The Club must attend at least one update/in-service per year.

Facilities

1. Clubs must follow FA Goalpost Safety guidelines

FA Charter Standard Development Club

Clubs must follow the criteria for FA Charter Standard Clubs plus the following:

Growth and Retention

1. At least five affiliated teams - You must have at least five teams that play in
   an FA affiliated league

Raising Standards

1. Development Plan - Club should have a development plan that covers the
   following areas. Against each area are some examples to assist you. In the
   resource you will find examples and templates.

Club Vision

Growth and Retention

• – How we are going to develop new teams
  Raising Standards
  – Parents’ nights
  – Rope off pitches
  – Captains only talk to referee
  – Support FA Respect program
  Better players
  – Coaches on FA awards
  – Playing ethos
  Running the Game
  – Support to leagues
  – Ensure all coaches are aware of league rules
  Volunteer Development
  – Job roles
  – Track qualifications

Better Players

1. FA Level 2 Coach - At least one coach who has achieved FA Level 2
Coaching award.
2. FA Youth Module 1 - At least one coach to have achieved FA Youth Module 1 -
July 2010.

Volunteer Development

1. In-service - Club must attend at least two updates/in-service per year

FA Charter Standard Community Club

Clubs must meet the criteria of FA Charter Standard, Adult and Development Club plus
the following:

Growth and Retention

1. Teams - At least ten teams. For rural areas, however, Clubs that field teams in
every available category but still have fewer than ten teams would be
considered.
Club should have both male and female teams.
From mini soccer to adult.

Raising Standards

1. Improving behavior - The Club holds at least one workshop per season on
addressing behavior and improving standards (ethos/philosophy).
2. Advanced development plan – The Club should produce a three to five-year
development plan that covers the following areas - against each area are
some examples to assist you. In the resource you will find examples and
templates:

Club Vision
Growth and Retention
– Exit routes
Raising Standards
– Supporting other clubs to achieve CSC
Better players
– Links to Skills Centres/Academies/Centres of Excellence
(Male and Female)
Running the Game
– Marketing and Communication plan
Volunteer Development
– Step in to Sport
– Referee Development
– Mentoring
– Succession Plans.

Better Players

1. FA Youth Module 2 - At least one coach to have achieved FA Youth Module 2
by July 2011.
2. Volunteer Development
3. Schools Coordinator - This should be your point of liaison with local schools
4. FA Mentoring Course - One person to have attended FA Mentoring Course -
New Clubs July 2010/ existing Clubs by July 2011.