On Thursday 19th December, The FA launched a new initiative that aims to continue the promotion and support of grassroots football, by positioning local clubs at the heart of the community.

The FA's Community Clubs initiative is aimed at developing the structure and quality of clubs - in partnership with The FA's Community Partner McDonalds - building on the foundations of The FA Charter Standard Clubs Scheme.

The first four clubs to achieve Community Club status were invited to a flagship FA presentation in Manchester to receive their awards from Sir Geoff Hurst and Eric Harrison, Football Ambassadors for The FA's Community Partner McDonalds and FA National Game Director Steve Parkin, and a Cambridgeshire club recently joined the roll call of honour.

Emphasising the importance of the initiative, Jim Hill, Cambridge FA Football Development Officer said:

"FA Community Clubs are the cornerstones of The FA National Game strategy. Achieving FA Community Club status is not easy, but can be achieved by clubs who are committed to putting themselves at the heart of their local football communities, not only for existing participants but for future generations too."

The Community Club Award will provide clubs with a kite-mark to promote their work in football development, enabling them to promote their provision of a safe and quality environment for all interested participants.

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.

Clubs that meet the criteria and achieve FA Community Club status will receive a host of benefits, including:

· FA Community Club Kitbag - that includes balls, bibs, cones as well as a FA Community Club plaque
· Opportunities for tickets for England youth and women's internationals.
· Access to a bi-annual newsletter.
· McDonalds will also be donating an additional 1000 footballs to the first 100 clubs

The 750 FA Charter Standard Clubs have, in the last 12 months been able to also utilise The FA's new kite mark to their advantage in attracting grants and funding for development and facilities.

Although gaining Community Club status cannot guarantee funding from the Football Foundation for facility improvement, gaining the kite-mark has already been a significant factor in assisting clubs funding applications by providing evidence of a commitment to providing a sporting facility for use by the entire community.

If you would like more information on how you can get involved in the national game in Cambridgeshire, be it playing, coaching, refereeing, volunteering or administering, please contact the Cambridgeshire FA on: 01223 576770 or log on to: www.cambridgeshirefa.com