As part of the criteria to attain the League award, Clubs have also had to become FA Charter Standard Clubs and therefore undertake some key areas of improvement in their operating standards. Each 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.
Berks and Bucks FA are very proud to have two Charter Standard Leagues in the county.
East Berks Youth Football League attained the award in late 2009. The league now run over 461 teams and provide a football environment for over 5,600 boys and girls, a true success story, where football in the community is definitely the winner.
The East Berks Youth League have also already held their first league in service where over 150 coaches and 5 young football teams attended one of 4 training events including an Age appropriate course, first aid, safeguarding children and a coaching 5-11 year olds workshop from the Berks & Bucks FA Skills Team, during a mid season break in fixtures
South Chiltern Minor Football League have also now achieved this prestigious award which was presented to them at Reading Football Club
The League was formed in 1970 to promote youth football in villages and towns around Reading and Berkshire. Since then the league has grown to now accommodate over 140 teams across 17 divisions, running league for boys (Sunday) U7's to U17's and Girls (Saturday) U10's to U16's.
South Chiltern are currently planning their first league in-service which they can use to support their coaches, players volunteers and referees throughout the league
For more information on Charter Standard Leagues please contact Paul Backman Football Development Officer