FA Charter Standard

What is an FA Charter Standard Club? There are several criteria that must be satisfied to achieve the entry level club award.

Criteria include:

  • Having an FA-trained Club Welfare Officer
  • An FA Level 1 coach for each youth team (U18 and below) 
  • Criminal Record Checks (CRC) for all volunteers involved in youth football teams
  • FA Emergency Aid-trained volunteers linked to each team
  • Sign-up to and deliver The FA’s Respect programme
  • Appropriate administration governance in place – in relation to the club’s size
  • An FA Charter Standard Co-ordinator recruited for each club.

Additional Adult Club criteria:

  • To be formerly constituted
  • Require a set of recent Committee meeting minutes
  • Have at least one team playing in an FA-sanctioned league
  • Have a bank account in the club’s name
  • Provide a balance sheet and profit and loss account
  • Have a Club equality Policy
  • Link to a feeder club for players
  • A good disciplinary record
  • A first aider with every team.

Additional Development Club criteria:

  • A minimum of five teams covering at least four different age groups
  • A Football Development Plan for three to five years
  • At least one Level 2 coach coaching one of the teams
  • At least one coach who has attended the FA Youth Award Module 1, coaching one of the teams.

Additional Community Club criteria:

  • A minimum of ten teams covering mini-soccer, youth and adult football
  • Has a minimum of one male and female team
  • At least one coach who has attended the FA Youth Module 2 coaching one of the teams
  • One person who has attended the FA Mentoring Adults course.


Read more at The FA - Charter Standard Programme