Ebbsfleet United FC, including men?s, youth and ladies sections, are celebrating this week after having their coveted FA Charter Standard Community Club Award renewed.
The Fleet can boast being one of the few clubs in the county to achieve this accolade, which is the top level of Charter Standard achievement and probably the only club to offer the whole community approach from grassroots to excellence, with male, female, boys and girls teams.
The FA Charter Standard Scheme is the best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League.??As a benchmark for quality the award will improve the playing experience for all.
A delighted Club chairman, Duncan Holt said, ?This award displays the clubs commitment to grassroots football in the area and it is pleasing to see that the clubs hard work has been rewarded with such a prestigious award?.
Youth Chairman, Ray Tuffield “This award demonstrates the hard work, commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers, managers and coaches that give up hours of their time to make sure the youth teams are run to the highest standards and provides an excellent base for young players to develop their game”.
The youth section was formed in around 1998 and can now boast having 5 mini-soccer teams and two 11-a-side teams playing in the Bexley & District Junior Football League, four teams playing in the Kent Youth League, and three girls team competing in league football as well as our mini Soccer Schools for 5-7 years old. The ladies section was also formed in 1998 and has risen through local leagues to now compete in the third tier of the FA?s women?s football pyramid. A large voluntary workforce supporting all sides of Fleet club football delivers all this.
A club spokesperson explained, ?The Fleet applied for the FA?s Community Club Charter Standard Award to provide the club with recognition for the quality provision we provide our members. It is a statement that we are a well-run and motivated club, with a good base of volunteers moving the club forward. The member?s welfare is at the forefront of everything the club does, through codes of conduct and good practice.
Kent County Football Development Officer Lee Suter praised the club by saying ?Ebbsfleet United FC has worked extremely hard to meet The FA?s criteria and having this award will benefit everyone involved within the club as well as the local community?.
Suter went onto say, ?Club development is very important to the Kent County FA and as an Association we are committed to football development and will continue to work with clubs in order to achieve the Charter Award?.
For more details on the FA Charter Standard scheme please contact lee.suter@kentfa.com or visit www.kentfa.com/development.
The FA Charter Standard Clubs programme, was launched in February 2001 with the aim of setting standards of coaching, administration and child protection for clubs working with young people. The Charter Standard Scheme is the best-practice guide that sets these standards.
The FA is committed to raising the standard of grassroots football in England to encourage more people to play, to develop their skills and to enjoy the game in the right environment, stating, “Clubs that become Charter Standard will be taking part in a genuine grassroots revolution. Every club should be aiming to meet the Charter Standard.”
This Award allows all teams at Ebbsfleet United Football Club to be recognised and accredited as a charter standard club, and includes a certificate and plaque for the clubhouse, football equipment, use of the charter standard logo on our promotional material and ongoing help and support from the FA. As a benchmark for quality, it will improve the playing experience for all.
It is also a statement to members and public that we are a strong developmental club to be part, hopefully attracting young players to the Fleet.?? Ebbsfleet United FC can now boast being one of only a handful of FA Community Clubs in Kent to achieve this top and prestigious award as listed on the Kent FA website.
The FA Community Club scheme builds upon the foundations of the Charter Standard scheme in placing clubs at the heart of their community. Community Clubs, the pinnacle of the club development pathway, will be those that have a high quality, multi-team set up with excellent social, training and playing opportunities for all. All new FA Community Clubs are required to meet FA criteria, ensuring they provide opportunities for players irrespective of age, gender, religion and ability. Clubs must also provide qualified coaches, first aiders and child protection officers for every age group
