The FA has drawn up the following set of criteria for clubs wishing to reach Charter Standard.
FA Charter Standard Club
Growth and Retention
Affiliated to CFA - Your club must be an affiliated/member of a County Football Association or The FA.
At least one team in an affiliated league - You must have at least one team that plays in an FA affiliated league.
School-Club Link established - You should have a link with at least one school, this could be informal, where you recruit players from, to a more formal link, where you may help deliver some football coaching or organise a inter class festival.
Raising Standards
Code of Conduct - Clubs should use the FA Respect Codes of Conduct, which covers players, officials, parents and spectators.
Good disciplinary record - As a FA Charter Standard Club you are expected to have a good disciplinary record.
CWO-WOW trained - You must have a Club Welfare Officer who has attended FA Safeguarding and Welfare Officer training.
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.
Emergency aid trained with every team - Minimum FA Emergency Aid.
Signed up to FA Respect Campaign by July 09 - Sign up through your County FA.
First aid equipment - The club ensures that there is first aid equipment at all coaching sessions and matches.
Regular briefings - The club holds a briefing for players, parents/carers and officials at the start of each season, covering the acceptable standard of behaviour and the need for positive playing environments.
Better Players
FA Level 1 coach with every team below U16 - At least one FA Level 1 coach per team
One coach to have attended FA Age Appropriate Coaching Course - Introductory Module from July 2009 for new clubs and July 10 for existing clubs.
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
Club Rules - The club should have a set of rules/constitution.
Annual club accounts - These should be produced and presented to your AGM, with a copy forwarded to the County FA.
PL Insurance - All clubs must have as a minimum Public Liability Insurance.
Equality Policy - Please adopt and follow The FA policy.
Volunteer Development
Volunteer Co-ordinator - This person should support other volunteers, help with the recruitment of volunteers.
Football Workforce - The club uses Football Workforce so that coaches and volunteers have job descriptions with clear roles and responsibilities.
In service - The club must attend at least one update/in-service per year.
Facilities
Clubs must follow FA Goalpost Safety guidelines.
FA Charter Standard Adult Club
Growth and Retention
Affiliated to CFA - Your club must be an affiliated/member of a County Football Association or The FA.
At least one team in an affiliated league - You must have at least one team that plays in an FA affiliated league.
Raising Standards
Code of Conduct - Clubs should use the FA Respect Codes of Conduct, which covers players, officials, parents and spectators.
Good disciplinary record - As a FA Charter Standard Club you are expected to have a good disciplinary record.
Emergency aid trained with every team - Minimum FA Emergency Aid.
Signed up to FA Respect Campaign by July 09 - Sign up through your County FA.
First aid equipment - The club ensures that there is first aid equipment at all coaching sessions and matches.
Running the game
Club Rules - The club should have a set of rules/constitution.
Annual club accounts - These should be produced and presented to your AGM, with a copy forwarded to the County FA.
PL Insurance - All clubs must have as a minimum Public Liability Insurance.
Equality Policy - Please adopt and follow The FA policy.
Volunteer Development
Volunteer Co-ordinator - This person should support other volunteers, help with the recruitment of volunteers.
Football Workforce - The club uses Football Workforce so that coaches and volunteers have job descriptions with clear roles and responsibilities.
In service - The club must attend at least one update/in-service per year.
Facilities
Clubs must follow FA Goalpost Safety guidelines.
FA Charter Standard Development Club
Growth and Retention
Affiliated to CFA - Your club must be an affiliated/member of a County Football Association or The FA.
At least five teams in an affiliated league - You must have at least five teams that plays in an FA affiliated league.
School-Club Link established - You should have a link with at least one school, this could be informal, where you recruit players from, to a more formal link, where you may help deliver some football coaching or organise a inter class festival.
Raising Standards
Code of Conduct - Clubs should use the FA Respect Codes of Conduct, which covers players, officials, parents and spectators.
Good disciplinary record - As a FA Charter Standard Club you are expected to have a good disciplinary record.
CWO-WOW trained - You must have a Club Welfare Officer who has attended FA Safeguarding and Welfare Officer training.
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.
Emergency aid trained with every team - Minimum FA Emergency Aid.
Signed up to FA Respect Campaign by July 09 - Sign up through your County FA.
First aid equipment - The club ensures that there is first aid equipment at all coaching sessions and matches.
Regular briefings - The club holds a briefing for players, parents/carers and officials at the start of each season, covering the acceptable standard of behaviour and the need for positive playing environments.
Development Plan - The club should have a development plan.
Better Players
FA Level 1 coach with every team below U16 - At least one FA Level 1 coach per team.
FA Level 2 coach - At least one coach to have achieved the FA Level 2 course.
FA Youth Module 1 - At least one coach to have achieved the FA Youth Award Module 1 by July 2010.
One coach to have attended FA Age Appropriate Coaching Course - Introductory Module from July 2009 for new clubs and July 10 for existing clubs.
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
Club Rules - The club should have a set of rules/constitution.
Annual club accounts - These should be produced and presented to your AGM, with a copy forwarded to the County FA.
PL Insurance - All clubs must have as a minimum Public Liability Insurance.
Equality Policy - Please adopt and follow The FA policy.
Volunteer Development
Volunteer Co-ordinator - This person should support other volunteers, help with the recruitment of volunteers.
Football Workforce - The club uses Football Workforce so that coaches and volunteers have job descriptions with clear roles and responsibilities.
In service - The club must attend at least two updates/in-services per year.
Facilities
Clubs must follow FA Goalpost Safety guidelines.
FA Charter Standard Community Clubs
Growth and Retention
Affiliated to CFA - Your club must be an affiliated/member of a County Football Association or The FA.
Teams - At least ten teams from mini soccer to adult. The club should have both male and female teams.
School-Club Link established - You should have a link with at least one school, this could be informal, where you recruit players from, to a more formal link, where you may help deliver some football coaching or organise a inter class festival.
Raising Standards
Code of Conduct - Clubs should use the FA Respect Codes of Conduct, which covers players, officials, parents and spectators.
Good disciplinary record - As a FA Charter Standard Club you are expected to have a good disciplinary record.
CWO-WOW trained - You must have a Club Welfare Officer who has attended FA Safeguarding and Welfare Officer training.
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.
Emergency aid trained with every team - Minimum FA Emergency Aid.
Signed up to FA Respect Campaign by July 09 - Sign up through your County FA.
First aid equipment - The club ensures that there is first aid equipment at all coaching sessions and matches.
Regular briefings - The club holds a briefing for players, parents/carers and officials at the start of each season, covering the acceptable standard of behaviour and the need for positive playing environments.
Improving Behaviour - The club holds at least one workshop per season on addressing behaviour and improving standards.
Advanced Development Plan - The club should have a 3-5 year development plan.
Better Players
FA Level 1 coach with every team below U16 - At least one FA Level 1 coach per team.
FA Level 2 coach - At least one coach to have achieved the FA Level 2 course.
One coach to have attended FA Age Appropriate Coaching Course - Introductory Module from July 2009 for new clubs and July 10 for existing clubs.
FA Youth Award Module 1 - At least one coach to have achieved the FA Youth Award Module 1 by July 2010.
FA Youth Award Module 2 - At least one coach to have achieved the FA Youth Award Module 2 by July 2011.
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
Club Rules - The club should have a set of rules/constitution.
Annual club accounts - These should be produced and presented to your AGM, with a copy forwarded to the County FA.
PL Insurance - All clubs must have as a minimum Public Liability Insurance.
Equality Policy - Please adopt and follow The FA policy.
Volunteer Development
Volunteer Co-ordinator - This person should support other volunteers, help with the recruitment of volunteers.
Schools Co-ordinator - This person should be your liaison with your local schools.
Football Workforce - The club uses Football Workforce so that coaches and volunteers have job descriptions with clear roles and responsibilities.
In service - The club must attend at least two updates/in-services per year.
Facilities
Clubs must follow FA Goalpost Safety guidelines.