Club links is a key area in both The National Game Strategy and the new FA Corporate Strategy to drive the growth and retention of new club and school teams. With all this in mind, in June 2008 The FA Charter Schools programme was terminated and existing Charter Standard Schools invited to apply to become FA Club-Link School.
What does this mean for existing Charter Standard Schools? Why change?
If they are within the three-year accreditation period they will continue to access the benefits package and access to discount England youth and women’s tickets and the UMBRO website as normal.
If they are outside the three-year accreditation period, access to the benefits finished in September 2008. By applying to become FA Club-Link School, schools will have continued support from the FA over the coming year.
Since 2002, 111 Suffolk schools have received The FA Charter Standard.
If the FA Charter Standard is so popular, then why the change?
Schools received The FA Charter Standard based on their current provision in football both curricular and extra curricular to a minimum number of year groups (boys and girls) for a minimum period of time. Although recognising the excellent use of football by the school it did not always reflect a strong link to local charter clubs.
Criteria and benefits:
Focus schools will be asked to submit a plan of what they hope to achievewith their football activity over the coming year, ensuring that the programme is outcome driven. Simply, baseline activity is recorded uponwhich the school sets target numbers for newteams, numbers for pupils (not in the school team) attending extended opportunities (after School Clubs, Futsal etc) and key to the whole programme the number of pupils going on to club football. There is also commitment by school staff to gain FA qualifications, through attending one of the new10 educationmodules or a standard coach education course, such as a Level 1.
Benefits will include a £50 UMBRO voucher for Kit, tickets to England U21, womens and youth games, FA Club Link School Certificate; added to which stronger links with local Charter Clubs will provide quality pathways for pupils.
Focus Schools, FA Club-Link Schools: is there a difference?
Effectively they are one and the same. 11 schools applied to become FA Club-Link Schools to which a further 11 schools have been identified as key targets giving Suffolk FA a list of 22 ‘Focus Schools’.
How do I become an FA Club-Link School?
Complete and send an expression of interest form (under related documents) into Suffolk FA HQ.
Alternatively you can contact the Suffolk FA Development team directly:
01449 616606 | info@suffolkfa.com