England Accreditation
Proud to support places where people want to play football
The FA is proud to make England Accreditation part grassroots football in England.
The England Accreditation Programme is The FA’s accreditation scheme open to all grassroots clubs and leagues. It aims to raise standards in the grassroots game, supporting the development of clubs and leagues, recognising and rewarding commitment, quality and achievement.
Proud to support clubs get up to the standard
The FA England accreditation is for clubs who can be proud to be places where people want to play. These are the clubs who demonstrate they offer well-run and sustainable football.
Clubs who achieve accredited status are proud to prioritise qualified coaching and safeguarding as well as the values of The FA’s Respect campaign as part of their game.
There are three different entry levels of England Accreditation:
One Star Accredited - A club who provides one team, but does not have a complete pathway in male, female or disability.
Two Star Accredited - A club who has a complete pathway in either male, female or disability and has some provision in another pathway.
Three Star Accredited - A club who has a complete pathway in two out of the three pathways, and has provision in the third.
The England Accreditation programme is there for clubs to achieve set standards across their club, insuring not only quality provision on the pitch but off it also. With the star system, clubs can see a clear progression for them to develop.
The accreditation makes a positive difference to the way clubs are run and to people’s enjoyment of football. The FA aims to support all grassroots clubs to reach England Accreditation status through our network of County FA’s.
Clubs and leagues work in partnership with County FAs to meet the criteria needed to achieve the accreditation.
What England Accreditation means for clubs
Clubs achieving England Accredited status can be proud to be the best place for people to play and enjoy football. They are able to demonstrate positive football environments where people can develop their skills, keep fit and enjoy playing as part of a friendly, inclusive community.
In return for becoming accredited England Accredited clubs receive access to benefits that help to attract and retain players, volunteers and supporters. The level of support and resources available will depend on the level of accreditation a club achieves. Benefits clubs experience include:
- Attract and retain players, supporters and volunteers
- Funding for football equipment
- Access to promotional resources and guidance
- Tailored support from The FA and County FAs
Proud to support grassroots leagues
The England Accreditation programme also covers leagues, it sets an operational benchmark for FA sanctioned leagues. Since 2022 this is awarded to leagues which can demonstrate their commitment to provide well organised football in safer, more inclusive environments.
Make your club or league proud to be England Accredited
If you’re interested in achieving England Accreditation, or just want to find out more, you should start by making contact with your County FA. They’ll be able to support you.
Any club can get the support they need to apply for England Accreditation. The accreditation demonstrates how clubs, leagues, volunteers, parents and players play their part in providing fun, safe and inclusive football opportunities for all.
As a minimum clubs must be affiliated to a County FA and have at least one team playing in an FA sanctioned league.
It’s free! The FA and County FAs do not charge to become accredited. Clubs also receive benefits and incentives to achieve, maintain and progress their England Accredited status.
Clubs should contact your local County FA to apply for England Accredited status.
Clubs work in partnership with County FAs to demonstrate and work toward meeting the accreditation criteria. Help and support is available from our team of experienced staff.
Clubs and County FAs will work together to complete an England Accreditation application form. Then your County FA will review your application and supporting evidence with a number of experienced individuals within the game. If a club meets the criteria they are awarded a relevant level of accreditation. Support is available to help clubs meet the standard.
The criteria are outlined within the application form. There are different criteria for both. It also has some relevant differences for the Youth and Adult game. Broadly the criteria are based around having the following in place:
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Code of conduct and operational policies
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Coaching qualifications (Youth only)
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Links, Pathways & Development Plans
These criteria are designed to make clubs in the best place possible to play and enjoy football.
Higher levels of accreditation are available to clubs who offer above the minimum criteria. Clubs who achieve Community or Development status are given access to greater levels of support, benefits and equipment.
Clubs which achieve FA Charter Standard status can be proud to be the best place for people to play and enjoy football. They are able to demonstrate they offer positive football environments where people can develop their skills, keep fit and enjoy playing as part of a friendly, inclusive community.
FA Charter Standard clubs receive access to benefits that will help to attract and retain players, volunteers and supporters. The level of support and resources you receive will depend on the level of accreditation a club achieves. Benefits clubs experience include:
- Attract and retain players, supporters and volunteers
- Funding for football equipment
- Access to promotional resources and guidance
- Tailored support from The FA and County FAs
The FA, County FA and associated partners offer a number of additional benefits to those above so speak to us today to find out more.
Leagues should contact your local County FA to register an interest in achieving FA Charter Standard status. This is done by completing an FA Charter Standard League Registration form.
Your County FA will organise a meeting or invite you to one of our league workshops where we can help audit and assess your league. As part of this meeting we will identify outstanding objectives against the criteria and help leagues work toward meeting these.
The precise criteria to become an FA Charter Standard League is identified as part of your County FA meeting or forum. Broadly leagues are required to meet the following objectives:
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60% of registered teams are members of FA Charter Standard clubs
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Demonstrate support for new teams to achieve FA Charter Standard status
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Supporting and implementing The FA’s Respect campaign
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Having a league referees’ officer
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Demonstrate active link to another league to support player development and transitional pathways
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After 3 years, have a minimum of 85% teams as members of FA Charter Standard clubs
Working together with your County FA, we help make sure you are delivering the best offer possible for players to play in a safe, fun and inclusive environment and support for the people who help run your teams.
