Orient land top Charter Standard award

The Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School (LOASS) has been awarded The FA Community Club Charter Standard Award – one of only nine clubs in the whole of London to hold such a title.

LOASS, who work in conjunction with the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme, are based in Waltham Forest, east London and the award represents acknowledgement of a lot of hard work by a team of volunteers and those passionate about the beautiful game.

"Everyone connected to LOASS is over-the-moon to receive this award,” explained Secretary Steve Jones.

“We have worked extremely hard behind-the-scenes to achieve this award and have had quite a busy time off the field this season."

LOASS, current holders of the ‘Waltham Forest Club of the Year’ title, have teams at 13 age levels and this award represents real progress for Steve and his coaching staff. 

"In November we gained The FA Club Charter Standard award, which was the lowest of three levels, for both our youth and senior sides,” he explained.

“I said then that we were not going to rest on our laurels and in a space of a few months we have now gained the highest level of Charter Standard and put LOASS in a small band of clubs who have achieved this."

The FA Charter Standard Clubs programme was established in February 2001 and helps clubs to improve standards of coaching, administration, player development and child protection.

The award is presented to those clubs who have raised their standards in these areas and lead the field in promoting best football practice, both on and off the pitch in grassroots football.

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.