The criteria for the programme is divided into 6 development areas, reflecting the approach of the National Game Strategy:
These are:
- Growth and Retention
- Raising Standards and Addressing Behaviour
- Better Players
- Running the Game
- Workforce Development
- All Goals and Enablers
1. Growth and Retention
Evidence of how the league plans to retain/grow the number of male, female and disability teams (mini-soccer, small sided and 11v11) as appropriate.
2. Raising Standards and Addressing Behaviour
a. At least 60% of teams in the league have Charter Standard Club status.*
* All other teams must have Enhanced FA CRB checks for all the welfare officers, coaches and managers working with children in youth football or with vulnerable adults.
The league will have two years to ensure that all participating clubs have Charter Standard Club status. Any new clubs entering the league after Charter Standard League status is gained will have 12 months to attain Charter Standard Club status.
b. The league actively promotes the Respect Programme through implementation of:
- The Respect codes of conduct
- Designated spectator areas for games (optional for adult leagues)
- Captains taking more responsibility for the behaviour of their players
- Referee managing the game.
c. The league has an Equality Policy and complaints procedure that adheres to The FA Equality Policy and Complaints Procedure template.
d. The league has a Safeguarding Children Policy and procedures that adheres to FA requirements (youth leagues only).
e. The league has a named Youth League Welfare Officer who has an Enhanced FA CRB check and has completed the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer Workshops (youth leagues only).
3. Better Players
a. The league is committed to reviewing existing and developing appropriate competition and training programmes for youth players in line with the principles of Long Term Player Development by evidence of:
- A commitment to encouraging greater use of small sided football formats (3v3, 4v4, 5v5, 7v7, 9v9 etc).
- Promoting a culture of learning where there is an emphasis on player development over results.
- From the 2009/10 season, no division to exceed 12 teams [Unless permission granted in exceptional circumstances].
- No league tables at u7, u8 age groups.
- Encouraging the provision of flexible format festivals.
- A coach education programme to include: Level 1, One Day Introduction to Age Appropriate module, FA Youth Award Module 1 (this can be linked to the CFA Coaching Programme) (Note: Adult leagues only required to deliver FA Coaching Adults).
Plus two technical in service days per season, of which one must be aimed at coaches working with under 11s. (Note: Adult leagues not required to deliver under 11 in-service).
4. Running the Game
a. The league is sanctioned by The FA or County FA, as appropriate.
b. The league is signed up to The FA Standard Code of Rules.
c. The league has a Charter Standard League agenda item at league meetings.
d. The Youth League Welfare Officer and Charter Standard League Co-ordinator sit on the league committee.
e. The league has a web based administration system for results and fixtures. Full Time is recommended for this purpose but it isn't mandatory.
5. Workforce Development
a. The league has a named volunteer Charter Standard League Co-ordinator.
b. The league provides a minimum of three continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities per season for league volunteers and member clubs, ideally on days when there are no fixtures (flexible programmes to include mentoring for club and league secretaries).
6. All Goals and Enablers
a. The league has a development plan that identifies key development objectives and targets linked to the National Game Strategy key goals and enablers.
b. The league has an agreed support package with the County FA.