FA Charter

Today AFC Cornard Dynamos was awarded the FA Charter Award that is the benchmark for excellence within football clubs. The criteria for suitability for this award is detailed below. It goes without saying that a huge amount of hard work has been undertaken by club officials and volunteers so that Dynamos would be considered for this award and the enormous amount of support given to the club from Phil Woolnough and the other members of the Suffolk FA without who's assistance this award would not have been achieved.

Congratulations also to all our newly qualified managers and helpers for being such a huge part in this achievement

Congratulations to everyone that completed and qualified as a Level 1 coach that took place earlier this month at Great Cornard Sports Centre with the asssitance of Suffolk FA. As a result Dynamos now have qualified coaches at every age level within the club that can offer the best coaching to our members.

Qualified coaches is just one of the conditions required by the FA allowing us to submit our application for the FA Charter Award, presented to clubs that are following the ideals of footballing excellence prescrbed by the FA. We should hear very soon on whether we have been selected for this prestigious award and details will appear on this site whenever we have an update.

Over the last few years Dynamos has become stronger and larger than ever before. This has not gone unnoticed by those who have an interest both with youth football and our club. We now feel that we are in a strong posistion to apply for the Standard Charter Award presented by the FA to clubs that are following the ideals held by the FA.

The Charter Standard Scheme is a best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for clubs working with young people. As a benchmark for quality, it will improve the playing experience for all.

The FA Charter Standard Clubs programme, supported by FA Community Partner McDonald's, was launched in February 2001 and is a core component of The FA Football Development programme

The project is aimed at boys and girls under sixteen years old and will help children and parents find a club in their local area that meets FA standards.

Criteria

The FA, in conjunction with various bodies, has drawn up the following set of criteria for clubs wishing to reach Charter Standard:

· A written constitution

· Self-certified screening of managers, coaches and officials

· All managers to have minimum of FA Junior Team Managers Award

· Commitment to attend in-service training

· Acceptance and promotion of Codes of Conduct

· Commitment to provide Mini-Soccer opportunities for Under 10's

· Commitment to promote schools liaison and equal opportunities for all

Benefits

Clubs that are successful in achieving the Charter will get access to a range of benefits:

· Use of Charter Standard Crest

· Exclusive Regional Workshops

· Access to Child Protection Training

· Kit and Equipment Grants

· National and Regional Awards

· Subsidies for FA Junior Team Managers and other courses

· Certificates

· Starter Pack, including posters, Codes of Conduct, Certificates

· First Aid Kit

Your Questions Answered

Q Can any club apply?

A Yes, any club which operates teams at Under 16 level and below.

Q Our Club only has 1 team; does that matter?

A Even a club with only one team can apply to become a Charter Standard Club.

Q Is there a charge?

A No, the Charter Standard programme is free.

Q Is it difficult to achieve?

A Any award, worth having, does require an element of work. However, particularly for the Club award, the criteria has been set so it is attainable for every club.

Q What are the benefits?

A The "visible" benefits are listed in the brochure. But it's the "hidden" benefits that should be of most importance to your club.

Q So what are these hidden benefits?

A By achieving a Charter Standard Award, you are demonstrating to all members, Parents and the public, that you are a well organized & safe club. The 'hidden' benefits are also an excellent way of promoting your club to potential members, parents, volunteers and sponsors.

Q How do we apply and what happens to our application?

A 1. Clubs must complete an application form and return it to the County Football Association with the requested supporting evidence.

2. Screening forms must be enclosed and sealed in the envelope provided and returned to The Football Association.

3. The Football Association will formally screen the self-certification forms submitted.

4. The application will be assessed by the County Football Association nominated officer with recommendations to the Charter Standard Working Party.

5. The Charter Standard Committee will complete a feedback form on each application, which will include an Action Plan and a recommendation.

6. If the club meets the criteria, the County Football Association will forward the Feed Back Sheet to The Football Association for awarding.

7. If the club does not meet the criteria, the County will inform the Club and provide an action plan and assistance sheets.

8. The Football Association will:

Write to the club awarding the Charter Standard, including a copy of the feedback form and action plan.

9. The Football Association and the County Football Association will keep a copy of the feedback form and action plan.

Q How long does the award last?

A 1. The Charter Standard is an award for three years.

2. Clubs must complete and return a "Renewal Form" every year that the Charter Standard is valid (within 30 days of receipt).

3. At the end of three years, the club can apply for renewal.

Q Can the award be withdrawn by The FA?

A Yes. After due consideration, and the club has had the opportunity to meet with the Charter Standard Working Party, the Charter Standard Working Party can request that a Club has it's Charter Standard removed for the following reasons:-

a) Disciplinary Record

b) Failure to Attend In-Service Training

c) Failure to return annual form

A Club can re-apply when it can demonstrate that it has responded positively to the reason(s) for withdrawal.

Q What are the Disciplinary reasons why a Club could lose, or not be awarded Charter Standard?

A The Charter Standard Working Party will consider the following criteria when assessing new applications or the removal of Charter Standard.

1. Any Club found guilty of assault on a referee or assistant, by a player, official or spectator in the last three years will not be considered for the awards. Any subsequent offence would lead to the withdrawal of the award.

2. Any Club not found to be positively supporting The Football Association's anti-racism campaign will lose or will not be awarded Charter Standard.

3. Any Club found guilty of spectator misconduct on two occasions by The Football Association will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee who have the authority to issue a formal warning, which could lead to removal on further notice.

4. Any club found guilty of official misconduct on two occasions by The Football Association will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee who have the authority to issue a formal warning, which could lead to removal on further notice.

5. Any club that reaches * disciplinary points (as described in County F.A. Memorandum), will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee, who will have the authority to warn as to future conduct or request that The Football Association remove the Charter Standard Award.

6. If any one team reach * disciplinary points (as described in County FA Memorandum), will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee, who will have the authority to warn as to future conduct, or request that The Football Association remove the Charter Standard from the whole club.

* At present each county sets its own points level, after which time clubs are in breach of County FA memorandum

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