HDJFL achieve the award

The Charter Standard League award is a flagship initiative for The FA, and assesses the ability of a League to provide a high quality, safe and enjoyable football experience against a standard set of criteria. It also encourages the League to continually develop, through ongoing support from staff at Cheshire FA and the review and ongoing development of a League Development Plan, as part of an annual health check process.
The League, founded in 1971, is currently providing football for just under 2,000 players each week through its 120 member teams.

“I am delighted that the Halton & District Junior League have received this award, they are only the second  junior league in Cheshire to attain this new standard,” said Peter Nicholls, Senior Football Development Officer at Cheshire FA.

“It’s a fantastic achievement, and this League should be congratulated for their positive and forward thinking attitudes to the development of junior football in the area, the achievement of the Charter Standard League award is the first step to ensuring junior football within the Halton & District area is sustainable for the foreseeable future.”

“The member clubs also need credit as they have put a lot of hard work into achieving Charter Standard Club status, therefore allowing the League to be in a position to apply for the award. It is testament to the commitment and progressive attitude of this League and its’ member clubs that the League was able to come through this process in such a short space of time. Charter Standard League status is far more than a paper exercise. It is a process through which a League and its clubs can look to improve their activities across a range of areas including, child protection, coaching, officiating and administration. The H&DJFL should be applauded for embracing this process and demonstrating that they are constantly striving to improve, for players, coaches, referees and clubs.”

Currently 92% of Clubs in the league have gained FA Charter Standard Club status and by the start of the 2010-11 season all clubs in the league will have the Charter Standard award.

The league was also one of the first to sign up and implement the FA Respect programme.
Each Charter Standard Club must now have in place amongst other things, a Club Welfare Officer, a Child Protection Policy, all volunteers to have CRB checks, managers/coaches to have appropriate coaching, Safeguarding Children and Emergency Aid qualifications.

Dave Wilson, Charter Standard League Co-ordinator for the H&DJFL, said: “We are delighted to receive this award. It show we are achieving high standards in providing safer, more enjoyable football for boys and girls at the younger age, through bringing a much needed emphasis on ‘Respect’ both on and off the field. It’s also about opening the doors for development opportunities for clubs and teams through the excellent development team at Cheshire FA who we have to thank for their hard work in helping us achieving this award.”

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