St Nicholas YFC receives FA award from Sir Trevor Brooking St Nicholas YFC has been awarded the FA Charter Standard Development Award, given in recognition of good practice, excellent standards and quality in grassroots football. The Club has also established links with local schools and is actively promoting its improved services to the local community. To qualify for the award, St Nicholas YFC had to demonstrate that it is a well run, safe and organised club for young people to play football. Managers and coaches are well qualified and the club has adopted the FA's child protection policies and appointed a child protection officer. Craig Hodges, the Club’s Charter Development Officer explained ”To achieve the Development Award, St Nicholas YFC also produced a development plan to outline its the aims and objectives. The Club is now working very closely with Chipping Sodbury School, assisting with their application for the Charter Schools Award and with coaching at the school.”
	St Nicholas YFC is a long established club, which celebrated its 25th birthday in 2004. The Club now provides football in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area for approximately 250 young people. With 15 teams (12 boys and 3 girls) across age groups from under 6 to under 18, the Club plans to increase further, especially in the pre league and girls sections. Martin Bywater, chairman of St Nicholas YFC commented “The Club has a clear vision to continue the development of its existing resource, pursue links with other local schools and increase the opportunities for young people to participate in football on a local level.” St Nicholas F.C is now seeking sponsorship as a FA Charter Club. Interested parties should contact Craig Hodges on 01454 324471. Press Enquiries: Craig Hodges, Charter Development Officer, St Nicholas YFC Tel: 01454 324471   Sir Trevor Brooking stands with the recipients. Sir Trevor Brooking congratulates our man, Craig 'charter' Hodges. Martin Bywater and Craig Hodges flank Sir Trevor Brooking with the FA Charter Award. Sir Trevor Brooking also congratulates our club chairman, Martin Bywater. Sir Trevor Brooking signs a St Nicholas YFC shirt and football. Photographs taken by Publicity man, Nigel Kent.
The FA Charter	The FA Charter Standard Clubs programme, supported by FA Community Partner McDonald's, was launched in February 2001 with the aim of setting standards of coaching, administration and child protection for clubs working with young people. The programme is aimed at boys and girls under sixteen years old and will help children and parents find a club in their local area that meets FA standards. The project is at the heart of The Football Association's investment programme for grassroots football that will see £32 million spent this year to improve facilities and coaching across the country. Forty clubs from Lancashire, North Riding, Nottinghamshire, Kent, London and Dorset worked with The FA in a pilot project over the last year. Then-FA Chief Executive Adam Crozier explained the importance of Charter Standard: "The FA is committed to raising the standard of grassroots football in England to encourage more people to play, to develop their skills and to enjoy the game in the right environment. "Clubs who become Charter Standard will be taking part in a genuine grassroots revolution. Every club should be aiming to meet the Charter Standard." The man leading the project at The FA, National Game Director Steve Parkin added: "Clubs will get all the help they need from The FA and their local County FA to meet the requirements. The aim is to raise standards across the country, not to exclude anyone." Helping to launch the scheme were West Ham manager Harry Redknapp and his son - the Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp. Harry explained why he was backing the project: "I knew where to send my kids to get a proper football education but most mums and dads aren't so lucky. "That's why The FA Charter Standard for clubs is such a good idea. For the first time, parents will know the best clubs in their local area to coach their children." England Women's International footballer, Marieanne Spacey, was also at the launch and was delighted that Charter Standard will give equal priority to women's football: "This project will increase the opportunities for girls to play football and will help the development of women's football as a sport in this country." By the end of 2001, The FA hopes that 750 English clubs will have signed-up and that 3,000 will be Charter Standard within three years. Criteria The FA, in conjunction with various bodies, has drawn up the following set of criteria for clubs wishing to reach Charter Standard: · A written constitution · Self-certified screening of managers, coaches and officials · All managers to have minimum of FA Junior Team Managers Award · Commitment to attend in-service training · Acceptance and promotion of Codes of Conduct · Commitment to provide Mini-Soccer opportunities for Under 10's · Commitment to promote schools liaison and equal opportunities for all Benefits Clubs that are successful in achieving the Charter will get access to a range of benefits: · Use of Charter Standard Crest · Exclusive Regional Workshops · Access to Child Protection Training · Kit and Equipment Grants · National and Regional Awards · Subsidies for FA Junior Team Managers and other courses · Certificates · Starter Pack, including posters, Codes of Conduct, Certificates · First Aid Kit

For more information contact the FACharter@stnickfc.co.uk

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