The Carlsberg South Western League has become the first league in the country to achieve the Football Association's Charter Standard for Adult Clubs......

 

 

 



All member clubs have been awarded the Charter Standard after the South Western League were asked by The FA to pilot the scheme with all clubs submitting an application for recognition.

To achieve the award clubs had to demonstrate that they had in place the following, which had to be approved by the FA.

- A Constitution
- Correct Affiliation
- Insurance Policies in respect of players, assets and public liability, and 
- a Financial Management structure with regular committee meetings.

Clubs also had to have in place Codes of Conduct in respect of Football, Coaches, Team Officials, Players and Spectators as well as having to demonstrate that an Equity Policy was in place, and display a commitment to in-service training, which included sending managers/coaches on an approved Emergency Aid Course.

Chairman Bob Bell was quick to pay tribute to the support the league received from the Cornwall County Football Association Development Officer Phil Cardew.

Cardew has been the manager of Torpoint's Carlsberg South Western League side for the past 14 years and is fully conversant with the needs and workings of grass root clubs.

 

"The FA appear to be receiving a lot of criticism recently but the work that they do at the grass roots level is fantastic.

"Both the financial and admin support given to clubs, like those in the South Western League, enables clubs throughout the country to vastly improve their facilities and standards.

"The FA Charter Standard Programme will certainly make a difference to the future of grass roots football," said Cardew.

All 18 clubs were invited to a buffet at Penryn prior to the county's Carlsberg South Western League Cup Final between Liskeard Athletic and St Blazey. Cardew along with FA National Club Development Manager Les Howie attended the pre-match buffet before presenting the awards, on the pitch, during the interval break.

For Bell this achievement has been the result of many months of hard work but the results once again show that the league are at the forefront of club development, fully supported by their sponsors Carlsberg and St Austell Brewery.

"I am delighted that we were asked to pilot this scheme and very pleased that clubs have taken the submissions of applications seriously.

"To have all our member clubs following the principles of the award can only be good for them and the league. It is now essential that the awards are seen as a starting point in improving standards within clubs and football and the award has to be seriously applied by all if it is to have any meaning" said Bell.  

If you would like more information about how to get involved in grassroots football in Cornwall, including information and advice on how to become a Charter Standard club, e-mail: Phil.Cardew@cornwallfa.com or telephone the Cornwall FA on: 01726 74080.