The FA Charter Standard Clubs programme provides national recognition to those clubs that demonstrate:

This award is the pinnacle of the Charter Standard programme. In addition to meeting all of the charter standard criteria above, clubs need;

Worthing Town Youth FC became Worthing's first Charter Standard Club in 2003 when it achieved Development Club status. The club become a Community Club on 14 March 2008.

THE FA SAYS THE FOLLOWING ABOUT CHARTER STANDARD COMMUNITY CLUBS (Extract from the FA website www.thefa.com)

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 (minimum of 10 teams) set up with excellent social, training and playing opportunities for all. As such, the number of Community Clubs is one of the truest measures of success for The FA Football Development strategy.

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.

Becoming an FA Community club should be the ultimate goal for hundreds of clubs at grassroots level.

FA ANNOUNCES MINOR CHANGES TO ITS CHARTER STANDARD CLUB PROGRAMME (July 2009)

The criteria for The FA Charter Standard Club programme has been slightly modified to reflect the views of over 37,000 people who were consulted on the development of The FA’s National Game Strategy 2008-12.

Many of the changes also replicate examples of good practice that have been implemented by FA Charter Standard clubs and as a result The FA’s Charter Standard Club programme is further raising standards and supporting the needs of grassroots football.

From July 2009 all new clubs will have to adhere to the new criteria together with those existing FA Charter Standard Clubs renewing their status in season 2009-10. However, for existing FA Charter Standard clubs a transitional period has been allowed to provide sufficient time and support.

Following the Goals and Enablers of The FA National Game Strategy the additions made to the criteria are as follows:

Goal 1: Growth & Retention

Clubs to have a link with a local school, FE college or University to recruit new players

Goal 2: Raising Standards

First Aid equipment to be present on match days and training sessions
Clubs to implement the Respect programme Codes of Conduct
Clubs to host a briefing for players, parents/carers, spectators, coaches and managers to discuss on- and off-field behaviour
Community Clubs to run a workshop on why and how to address poor behaviour and improve standard

Goal 3: Better Players

One coach to attend The FA Age Appropriate Introductory module by July 2010
Development and Community Clubs: one coach to attend The FA Youth Award (L3) Module 1 by July 2010
Community Clubs: one coach to attend The FA Youth Award (L3) Module 2 by July 2011
No more than 1:16 coaching ratio and two adults present at all sessions/games

Goal 4: Running the Game

Development and Community Clubs to have a development plan based on the National Game Strategy template

Enabler: Workforce

A Volunteer Co-ordinator is nominated and roles identified for volunteers in the club
Development and Community Clubs: Head Coach identified with L2 and Youth Award (L3) Module 1 by July 2010
Community Clubs: one coach to attend FA Mentoring course by July 2011

For season 2010-11 it is planned that all clubs will be supported through an annual health check process with their County FA to ensure all existing clubs adhere to the new criteria.