What is the FA Accredited status

England Football Accredited is the new framework for League and Club Accreditation, and has replaced The FA Charter Standard.

It is an opportunity for The FA and County FAs to recognise all Leagues and Clubs who raise the bar and set the tempo for football to thrive in England. It enables us to work with our League network to offer modern competitions that meet the needs of today’s game, while simultaneously creating maximum opportunities for everyone who enjoys the game to participate. Regardless of background, ability, skin colour, gender, sexual orientation or age: we unite everyone and strive to give the very best of ourselves.

Benefits

Accredited clubs, each season, are rewarded with items such as Nike footballs, kit and equipment, certificates and marketing materials. In addition to rewards the FA offer opportunities to Accredited Clubs. For example:

• Tickets to attend Young Lions and Lioness fixtures
• Access to the Club Programme and professional services
• Opportunity to run FA programmes such as Wildcats, Squad and Comets
• Access to experts such as mentors, ambassadors and club consultants
• Invitations to webinars, events and conferences
• Access to In The Box, England Football Podcast and Extra:Time webinars

Criteria

The FA, in conjunction with various bodies, has drawn up the following set of criteria for clubs wishing to reach accredited status:

• Offer a minimum of one team at any age group for male or female or disability playing in an FA sanctioned competition.
• Have an in-date FA Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Checks (DBS) for all relevant officials.
• Have a Welfare Officer for Youth Clubs (male, female and disability).
• Safeguarding Committee Members course completed by Club committee members.

Through the Clubs Portal, Clubs will achieve or evidence the following criteria:

• Evidence or adopt a set of Club rules and be a constituted Club.
• Evidence or adopt the relevant Club safeguarding policies.
• Evidence or adopt an equality policy.
• Adopt The Football Leadership diversity code.
• Adopt the Respect codes of conduct and implement The FA Respect activations relevant to your club.
• Have a bank account in the Club’s name recommended for all Clubs and mandatory for Clubs with three or more teams.
• Provide evidence of last season’s accounts if in existence for more than one season.
• Have a good disciplinary record within the Respect disciplinary code (if in existence for more than one season).

To find out more about the FA Accredited Standard please visit the FA website.