With fifteen Community clubs, sixteen Development Clubs, 15 Adult clubs and over fifty Charter Standard Clubs, the County is committed to raising standards of football at grassroots level. So how has this being achieved?

Julie Chipchase, County Development Manager explains: "The success of this scheme is down to the hard work and commitment of our key partners.

"By engaging five of the biggest leagues in West Riding, who are all committed to achieving Charter Standard League status, together with the commitment of club volunteers, secretary’s and coaches, we have made a positive impact in raising the standards within grassroots football.

West Riding County FA have also reached and exceeded the 100 mark for Charter Standard Schools, with currently 111 Schools with the accreditation within the County. The Counties success in this area has been down to the great work in the School Sports Partnerships.

Mark Coulson, Football Development Officer, (Education) said: "In West Riding we currently have fifteen School Sports Partnerships to work alongside to raise standards of football in schools.

"In particular the Spen Valley Partnership have been key to raising awareness of the Charter Standard programme, as they have signed up to having 100% Charter Standard coverage within their partnership.

"It is important to recognise that this success could not have been achieved if it wasn’t for the hard work of all our key partners"

West Riding are proud to have reached this prestigious number and to be the first within the Yorkshire Region to reach both 100 Charter Standard schools and clubs.

Helen Croft Regional Manager for Yorkshire added: "The Charter Standard Programme has given clubs in the West Riding area the incentive and opportunity to increase the number of players and volunteers within their clubs, to provide new opportunities for women and girls, people with a disability and ethnic minority communities and to raise standards within grass-roots football.

"The charter standard award has a high profile within this progressive county and will continue to be used as the catalyst to encourage people to take part in football as players, coaches or volunteers in a quality environment.

"Congratulations to the County FA, their clubs and leagues, West Yorkshire Sport and all the people who have contributed to developing this successful programme"

West Riding is looking to build on these achievements by adding an extra Charter Standard League to the club development programme and by supporting the three new School Sports Partnerships from September 2005.