Mark Wilkins, the Community Liaison Officer for Hughenden Valley FC, met with members of The FA's Customer Relations team at The FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final at Wycombe Wanderers FC in March.
Hughenden Valley FC is based in a village two miles north of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The club was formed in 1974 by a willing group of parents who wanted to provide organised and competitive football which would be open to all.
By 2004 the club had grown to 230 players spread across the under-six age range to youth squads, up to under-16. In that year they were made aware of the Charter Standard Scheme by the Berkshire & Buckinghamshire FA which gave them the opportunity to review the whole club's set-up.
Like all clubs they rely on people to give up their own time. They set up working parties and allocated projects accordingly thus ‘’spreading the load” and involving more people.
They received confirmation of the award after six months, taking into account the new constitution had to be approved at their AGM.
Mark outlined what he believed to be the benefits of the Charter Standard Scheme. They were:
· A complete overhaul of the outdated club constitution to conform with FA guidelines.
· Each team manager and coach has successfully completed The FA Level One Coaching course.
· Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks have been administered on all relevant personnel.
· First aid qualifications have been reviewed and updated.
· Each volunteer now has a clearly defined role.
· A formulised process has been established in order to deal with any issue that should arise.
· Free kit from the Football Foundation as they worked towards Charter Standard status.
Mark would like to thank the Berkshire & Buckinghamshire FA Development Team, Dave Evans the Community Officer at Wycombe Wanderers FC, Les Howie, The FA's National Club Development Manager, and of course, the club’s own ever willing volunteers.
