The FA Charter Standard
Proud to support places where people
want to play football
The FA is PROUD to make Charter Standard part of grassroots football in England.
The FA Charter Standard Programme is The FA’s accreditation scheme open to grassroots clubs and leagues. It aims to raise standards in the grassroots game through supporting the development of clubs and leagues. It also recognises and rewards commitment, quality and achievement.
These are the clubs and leagues who demonstrate they offer well-run and sustainable football. Those who achieve The FA Charter Standard are proud to prioritise qualified coaching and safeguarding as well as the values of The FA’s Respect Programme as part of their game.
Interim FA Charter Standard club accreditation criteria 2020/21
COVID-19 has impacted on The FA’s and County FA’s ability to offer face to face education. Interim requirements for The FA Charter Standard club accreditation criteria (coaching, first aid and safeguarding) are in place for the season 2020/21 .
Long term plans are being made to offer alternative, sustainable delivery models however it is necessary to make temporary changes for the 2020/21 season. These apply to new and existing FA Charter Standard accredited clubs.
We encourage all clubs to explore the opportunity to become FA Charter Standard accredited, qualifying the relevant individuals to make the on-pitch environment a safe place and putting in place the policies and documents off-pitch to make sure they are built to last. When the time comes there will be an expectation and commitment for all accredited clubs to maintain or raise the standards and requirements that make The FA’s kitemark accreditation programme PROUD to be the best.
To view the interim criteria for 2020/21 please download this document.
Make your club or league PROUD to achieve The FA Charter Standard accreditation
If you’re interested in achieving The FA Charter Standard accreditation, or just want to find out more, let’s have a conversation contact the Jersey FA Football Services Manager via jonathan.lefondre@jerseyfa.com
How to apply
Becoming an FA Charter Standard club is a simple application process. Although the criteria are challenging it is also achievable through your ambition and our support.
Being accredited demonstrates you are a club who provides safe, fun and inclusive football environments for all to play and enjoy the game.
There is a minimum entry criteria clubs must satisfy both on-pitch and off-pitch. For the 2020/21 season we have introduced an interim criteria to support clubs to become accredited whilst we navigate through an impacted landscape because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the time comes there will be an expectation and commitment for all accredited clubs to get back to, maintain or raise the standards and requirements that make The FA’s kitemark accreditation programme PROUD to be the best.
On-pitch we look for the relevant individuals to hold certain qualifications to ensure they are educated, equipped and empowered to make the training and match day environment a great one.
Off-pitch we ask clubs to have relevant policies and documents in place to ensure they are structured correctly and built to last. FA templates of these policies and documents are available to adopt.
To start your club application process please make contact with the Jersey FA Football Services Manager via jonathan.lefondre@jerseyfa.com
Get in touch
Football Services Manager
Jonathan Le Fondre
Jonathan.LeFondre@jerseyfa.com
01534 730433
Any club affiliated to a County FA that play in the National League System and below, likewise for women's clubs that play outside the Women's Super League (Barclays FA WSL) and Women's Championship (FA WC), tier 3 and below, can apply. Clubs must have at least one team playing within an FA sanctioned league.
Clubs should contact Jersey FA to apply for FA Charter Standard status.
Clubs work in partnership with Jersey FA to demonstrate and work toward meeting the accreditation criteria. Help and support is available from our team of experienced staff.
We will then work together to complete an FA Charter Standard application form and Jersey FA will review your application and supporting evidence with a number of experienced individuals within the game. If a club meets the criteria they are awarded a relevant level of accreditation. Support is available to help clubs meet the standard.
There is a minimum criteria for all clubs with some additional criteria specific to clubs with youth teams and clubs with adult teams.
On-pitch we look for the relevant individuals to hold certain qualifications to ensure they are educated, equipped and empowered to make the training and match day environment a great one.
Off-pitch we ask clubs to have relevant policies and documents in place to ensure they are structured correctly and built to last. FA templates of these policies and documents are available to adopt.
Higher levels of club accreditation are achievable for clubs who have the ambitions to provide more playing opportunities to more people. Clubs who achieve Development or Community club accreditation are given access to greater levels of support, benefits and equipment.
It's FREE. The FA and the Jersey FA do not charge to become accredited. Clubs receive benefits and incentives to achieve, maintain and progress their accreditation.
Leagues and clubs achieving The FA Charter Standard accreditation can be PROUD to be the best place for people to play and enjoy football within their football community.
They demonstrate positive football environments where people experience their football in a safe, fun and inclusive environment.
Whether you are male, female or have a disability, individuals including players, officials, spectators, referees and volunteers feel part of a team thanks to league and club accreditation as they aim to provide FOOTBALL FOR ALL.
For becoming The FA Charter Standard accredited, leagues and clubs receive access to benefits that help to attract and retain players, volunteers and supporters.
Both accredited leagues and clubs experience benefits, the level of which depends on the level of accreditation for clubs. These include:
• Attracting and retaining players, supporters and volunteers through providing safe, fun and inclusive environments for all to experience and enjoy
• Funding for football equipment
• Access to promotional resources and guidance
• Tailored support from The FA and County FAs
Support and resources are available to accredited leagues and clubs help them achieve their ambitions including but not limited to:
• Raising standards across the game
• Creating positive match day environments
• Establishing player pathways for continued participation, placing the player at the centre of all they do
• Understanding the role they play in their football community
• Becoming a sustainable and financially efficient organisations
The following rewards are available for accredited leagues and clubs from the 2020/21 season.
Clubs
• Certification
• Football Equipment
• Access to promotional resources and guidance
• Tailored support from The FA where applicable
Leagues
• Certification
• Football Equipment
• Access to promotional resources and guidance
• Tailored support from The FA where applicable
New Clubs will receive:
• Adult - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
• Youth - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs
• Development - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
• Community - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
Existing Clubs will receive:
• Adult - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs
• Youth - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs
• Development - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
• Community - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
New and existing leagues will receive:
• Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, access to redeem a kit & equipment package
Currently clubs complete an annual health check via the FA's Whole Game System every season from September, however for the 2020/21 season the Annual Health Check is suspended.
Leagues should contact Jersey FA to register an interest in achieving FA Charter Standard status. This is done by completing an FA Charter Standard League Registration form.
Jersey FA will then organise a meeting or invite you to one of our league workshops where we can help audit and assess your league. As part of this meeting we will identify outstanding objectives against the criteria and help leagues work toward meeting these.
There is only one level of accreditation leagues can apply for. The criteria focus on having in place a 3-year development plan, a minimum percentage of your member clubs accredited with ambitions to grow this percentage, implementation of The FA’s Respect Programme, a focused Referee Officer and an active link with other leagues to support players to find relevant places to continue playing their football.