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Daily Telegraph article 2nd
February 2001
“Thirty six local clubs became the first recipients yesterday
of the Football Association's new Charter Standard award, writes William
Johnson
THIRTY six local clubs from six counties became the
first recipients yesterday of the Football Association's new Charter
Standard Award, a scheme in which £32 million is being invested this
year.
The project, which will receive more substantial
funding amounting to £180 million over the next three years, is aimed at
the grassroots level of the game. Boys and girls under 16 will be
encouraged to take their first steps to possible stardom by joining clubs
who have earned the FA kite mark covering safety, quality and
organisation.
Steve Parkin, the FA's director of the national game,
explained: "The aim is to raise standards across the country, and
not to exclude anybody. The target this year is to have 750 clubs holding
the charter and then to work on the other 40,000 established clubs out
there.
"We are looking for three particular criteria.
We are seeking a certain standard of coaching, we want it carried out in
a well-organised environment and, above all, we want to provide parents
with what they regard as a safe place to send their kids."
Adam Crozier, the FA's chief executive, was due to
front the launch at the impressive Lancashire FA headquarters in Leyland
but yesterday's latest announcement regarding the future of Wembley kept
him in London. However, in a prepared statement he said: "The FA is
committed to raising the standard of grassroots football in England, to
encouraging more people to play, to developing their skills and to
getting them to enjoy the game in the right environment. Clubs who become
Charter Standard will be taking part in a genuine revolution.
Every club should be aiming to reach the standard.
Also due to give the launch a high profile was Harry Redknapp, the West
Ham manager, who had planned to offer his views on football from a
parental perspective alongside his son Jamie, the Liverpool and England
midfielder. Redknapp Snr was prevented from travelling by fog at Heathrow
but also put his views down on paper for the benefit of the 100 or so
representatives in attendance from Lancashire, Yorkshire,
Nottinghamshire, Kent, London and Dorset.
"I knew where to send my kids to get a proper
football education but mums and dads aren't so lucky," said
Redknapp. "That's why this scheme is such a good idea. For the first
time, parents will know the best clubs in their locality to coach their
children."
His son Jamie's presence proved the highlight of the
day for the youngsters who were invited to be "guinea pigs" on
the training ground. He spent nearly an hour passing on his skills and
signing autographs which made those who had travelled from as far as
Wimborne in Dorset feel the journey was worthwhile.
National and local media gathered at the L.F.A. HQ at
Leyland to see the 36 Clubs presented their awards by England star Jamie
Redknapp.
Darren Carr, Keith Greenhalgh and David Pinder
represented the Club. Walshaw collected the higher level of the award, that
of "Development Club Status". This signifies that the Club
meets all of the best practice criteria as defined by the Football
Association. Redknapp, who has been absent from the Liverpool side for
most of the last year through injury, presented the charters to the 36
clubs, along with the captain of the England women's football team, Mo
Marley.
Thursday February 1st 2001 saw Walshaw Sports Club
Juniors FC become one of only 36 Junior Football Clubs from across the
entire Country (10,000 Clubs) to receive the F.A. Charter Standard
Award.”
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