The FA Charter Standard programme was launched in February 2001 to establish, reward, and encourage good practice at grassroots levels, so that parents and children can demand a minimum standard of provision from schools, clubs, and holiday courses.

Guildford Saints Football Club was granted the FA Charter Development Club in 2006 and was awarded Surrey FA Charter Standard Development Club of the year for 3 successive seasons 2007-2009. An achievement we are all really proud of.

The project is at the heart of The Football Association’s investment programme for grassroots football, and the status is awarded where The FA’s minimum standards of coaching, administration, and child protection are met.

Many grants and funding opportunities provided by The FA and the Football Foundation are only available to clubs who have gained, or are working toward, Charter Standard.
Charter Standard aims to…

• provide a nationally recognised quality control ‘kitemark’
• identify clubs and organisations where best practices exist
• improve the quality of provision of football for everyone
• sustain participation of football players for a longer time
• raise the standards of the grassroots game