West Riding County Football Association

Q	Can any club apply ?	Yes

Q	Our Club only has 1 team; does that matter?	Even a club with only one team can apply to become a Charter Standard Club.

Q	Is there a charge ?	No, the Charter Standard programme is free.

Q	Is it difficult to achieve ?	Any award, worth having, does require an element of work. However, particularly for the Club award, the criteria has been set so it is attainable for every club.

Q	What are the benefits ?	The "visible" benefits are listed in the brochure. But it's the "hidden" benefits that should be of most importance to your club.

Q	So what are these hidden benefits ?	By achieving a Charter Standard Award, you are demonstrating to all members, Parents and the public, that you are a well organized & safe club. The 'hidden' benefits are also an excellent way of promoting your club to potential members, parents, volunteers and sponsors.

Q	How do we apply and what happens to our application ?	1. Clubs must complete an application form and return it to the County FA with the requested supporting evidence.
		2. Screening forms must be enclosed and sealed in the envelope provided and returned to The Football Association.
		3. The Football Association will formally screen the self-certification forms submitted.
		4. The application will be assessed by the County FA nominated officer with recommendations to the Charter Standard Working Party.
		5. The Charter Standard Committee will complete a feedback form on each application, which will include an Action Plan and a recommendation.
		6. If the club meets the criteria, the County FA will forward the Feed Back Sheet to The Football Association for awarding.
		7. If the club does not meet the criteria, the County will inform the Club and provide an action plan and assistance sheets.
		8. The Football Association will:
		Write to the club awarding the Charter Standard, including a copy of the feedback form and action plan.
		9. The Football Association and the County FA will keep a copy of the feedback form and action plan.

Q	How long does the award last?	1. The Charter Standard is an award for three years.
		2. Clubs must complete and return a "Renewal Form" every year that the Charter Standard is valid (within 30 days of receipt).
		3. At the end of three years, the club can apply for renewal.

Q	Can the award be withdrawn by The FA?	Yes. After due consideration, and the club has had the opportunity to meet with the Charter Standard Working Party, the Charter Standard Working Party can request that a Club has it's Charter Standard removed for the following reasons:-
		a) Disciplinary Record
		b) Failure to Attend In-Service Training
		c) Failure to return annual form
		A Club can re-apply when it can demonstrate that it has responded positively to the reason(s) for withdrawal.

Q	What are the Disciplinary reasons why a Club could lose, or not be awarded Charter Standard?	The Charter Standard Working Party will consider the following criteria when assessing new applications or the removal of Charter Standard.
		1. Any Club found guilty of assault on a referee or assistant, by a player, official or spectator in the last three years will not be considered for the awards. Any subsequent offence would lead to the withdrawal of the award.
		2. Any Club not found to be positively supporting The Football Association's anti-racism campaign will lose or will not be awarded Charter Standard.
		3. Any Club found guilty of spectator misconduct on two occasions by The Football Association will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee who have the authority to issue a formal warning, which could lead to removal on further notice.
		4. Any club found guilty of official misconduct on two occasions by The Football Association will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee who have the authority to issue a formal warning, which could lead to removal on further notice.
		5. Any club that reaches * disciplinary points (as described in County F.A. Memorandum), will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee, who will have the authority to warn as to future conduct or request that The Football Association remove the Charter Standard Award.
		6. If any one team reach * disciplinary points (as described in County FA Memorandum), will be invited to meet with the Charter Standard Committee, who will have the authority to warn as to future conduct, or request that The Football Association remove the Charter Standard from the whole club.
		* At present each county sets its own points level, after which time clubs are in breach of County FA memorandum.