Flagship award in Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Youth Football League became only the seventh League in the country to achieve the prestigious FA Charter Standard League award.

The Charter Standard League award is a flagship initiative for The FA and is the quality mark for Leagues. It assesses the ability of the League to provide a high quality, safe and enjoyable football experience for all against a standard set of criteria. The League has worked closely with The Football Association previously, having participated in the pilot studies for both the implementation of Mini Soccer and the Respect programme. In 2005 it was one of the first Leagues in the country to introduce compulsory CRB checks for all of its team managers.

The Cheltenham Youth Football League currently provides football activity each week for over 2,000 players aged from 8-16 years. A record 143 member teams are lined up to begin the 2009-10 season in September.

Charter Standard League status is a process through which a League and its Clubs can improve their activities across a range of areas including, child protection, coaching, officiating and administration. The Cheltenham Youth Football League embraced this process and demonstrated 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 FA 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, and managers/coaches to have appropriate coaching, Safeguarding Children and Emergency Aid qualifications.

David Neale, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire FA, commented: "The Charter Standard League award is a great achievement and the League should be congratulated for their positive and progressive attitude to the development of youth football in the County. It is testament to the commitment of this League and its member Clubs that they were able to earn The FA Quality mark in such a short space of time."

Steve Mattos, Chairman of the Cheltenham Youth Football League, added: "This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the Management Committee over the last few years, building up a well run and respected Youth League with a safe environment for youth players over a wide area to play their football every week."