The Charter Standard League Pilot was launched in July 2008, The Timperley & District JFL through hard work with Cheshire County FA became one of the first 5 leagues in country to achieve the CSL status.
The Charter Standard League award is a flagship initiative for The FA, and assesses the ability of a League to provide a high quality, safe and enjoyable football experience against a standard set of criteria. It also encourages the League to continually develop, through ongoing support from staff at the Cheshire County FA and the review and ongoing development of a League Development Plan, as part of an annual health check process.
The League is currently providing football for over 4500 players each week through its 468 member teams.
It is testament to the commitment and progressive attitude of this League and its’ member clubs that the League was able to come through this process in such a short space of time.
The Charter Standard League award is far more than a paper exercise, it is a process through which a League and its clubs can look to improve their activities across a range of areas including, child protection, coaching, officiating and administration. Timperley & District JFL League should be applauded for embracing this process and demonstrating that they are constantly striving to improve, for players, coaches, referees and clubs.
As part of the criteria to attain the League award, Clubs have also had to become Charter Standard Clubs and therefore undertake some key areas of improvement in their operating standards. Each Club must now have in place amongst other things, a Club Welfare Officer, a Child Protection Policy, all volunteers to have CRB checks, managers/coaches to have appropriate coaching, Safeguarding Children and Emergency Aid qualifications.
Peter Nicholls, Senior Football Development Officer for the Cheshire County FA said: "To attain the Charter Standard League award is a fantastic achievement, and this League should be congratulated for their positive and forward thinking attitudes to the development of junior football in the area.
The Timperley & District JFL has worked over the past 9 months with the Cheshire FA as the pilot scheme for a Charter Standard league in the County. They have worked hard to support the FA initiatives and develop football in the league.
Achieving the Charter Standard League award and the level of investment accessed for the member clubs will ensure that the League will continue to grow and provide a quality football experience for many years to come.
For more information regarding the Charter Standard League Scheme please contact Peter.Nicholls@cheshirefa.com