History > Articles > Leamington FC receives highest accolade in club football: the FA Charter Standard Community Club Award

Monday, 19 January 2009

Leamington FC, Leamington Lions Girls FC and Leamington Brakes FC have received the prestigious FA Community Club Award from Birmingham County FA.

Leamington FC Community Development Director Russell Davis said, "This is fantastic news for all three clubs and is only the start of what we want to achieve in the community. We will be aiming to develop further the coaching work carried out in the schools and clubs and will continue to develop facilities at Leamington FC for the benefit of the community. The club now has over 300 girls and boys involved in community football. I would like to thank all the volunteers and coaches who make it possible for all these teams to run and this award is recognition of their hard work".

The FA Community Club scheme builds upon the foundations of the Charter Standard scheme in placing clubs at the heart of their community.

A club first becomes a Chartered Standard Club and the next stage is to become a Development Club with the pinnacle of the club development pathway being the attainment of Community Club status. In the Birmingham County FA there are only 11 clubs with community status out of 2600 affiliated teams in the county.

Community Clubs are those that have a high quality, multi-team (minimum of 10 teams) set up with excellent social, training and playing opportunities for all. As such, the number of Community Clubs is one of the truest measures of success for The FA Football Development strategy.

Heidi Lockyer, Football Development Officer - Birmingham FA presenting award to Jim Scott, Chairman - Leamington FC together with representatives of Leamington Lions Girls FC and Leamington Brakes FC and sponsors

All new FA Community Clubs are required to meet FA criteria, ensuring they provide opportunities
for players irrespective of age, gender, religion and ability. Clubs must also provide qualified coaches, first aiders and child protection officers.

Leamington FC Chairman Jim Scott said "We would like to go on record and thank Paul O'Rafferty the Chairman of Leamington Lions Girls FC for the outstanding work he has done in developing the club with Birmingham County FA and the coaching initiatives that are running throughout the club. Both Leamington Brakes FC and Leamington Lions Girls FC have made giant steps forward and this award is a reflection of the high level of commitment and standards they set. They should rightly be very proud of their achievement in providing sporting opportunities in a safe and structured environment".

The community club award was presented to the club by Heidi Lockyer, Football Development Officer, Birmingham FA, in front of the Leamington fans at the New Windmill Ground on Saturday 17th January 2009 before the match against Soham Town Rangers.

Harvey Hunt (ACS - Sponsor),  Heidi Lockyer (Football Development Officer - Birmingham FA), Stuart Crutchley (Leamington Lions Girls FC), Mick Haynes (Chairman - Leamington Brakes FC),  Russell Davis (Community Development Director - Leamington FC) Jim Scott (Chairman - Leamington FC) Tim Forde ( TGFP - Community Development Sponsor)

If you have any questions or comments regarding Leamington FC's status as a FA Charter Standard Community Club, please email club Chairman, Jim Scott

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