The Kent FA have announced Charlton Athletic Community Trust have achieved the Kent FA Accredited Soccer School Award.
The Accredited Soccer School is a benchmark for commercial and private sector providers and was established last year by the Kent FA with support from the FA. The award was brought in following the growth of the private coaching sector and is intended to ensure best practice in coaching standards, safeguarding, first aid support and governance in soccer school programmes.
Charlton Athletic Community Trust, who achieved gold status, have demonstrated the level of standards and governance required to gain the highest level of the award. The award was received at a first-team training session by players Cedric Evina, Bradley Pritchard, Andy Hughes, Alex Dryer and Captain Johnnie Jackson as well as Sean Daly from the CAFC Trust.
Sean, Head of Football and Sports Development was delighted to receive the award;
“We have worked extremely hard over the last 20 years to deliver a great experience to all children who attend our holiday courses which has in turn produced 17 professional footballers.”
“Using the power of football, Charlton Athletic Community Trust works in partnership with local communities to empower individuals to improve their lives and their environment.
“We are delighted to receive the award and would like to thank the Kent FA for giving us this accreditation”.
Football Development Officer, Lee Suter said “The Kent FA Soccer School Accreditation Award assesses the ability to provide a high quality, safe and enjoyable football experience and Charlton Athletic Community Trust produced an excellent plan, and are committed to workforce development”.
Before the launch of this award there was no regulation of Soccer School organisations meaning that anyone could become a provider with no set criteria or the need to meet minimum levels of operation. This can lead to unqualified coaches delivering unregulated and uninsured sessions which can lead to poor practice, unaffiliated football as well as those individuals currently suspended by The Football Association continuing to actively be part of the game.
The accreditation which operates at three levels, gold, silver and bronze offers successful applicants a wide range of benefits including promotional material, insurance schemes, workforce development as well as use of the Kent FA and Kent Schools FA logos and many more opportunities.
The Kent FA Soccer School Accreditation Award is open for application for Soccer School providers who operate holiday courses, football services in schools and out of club sessions.
For more details regarding the Kent FA Soccer School Accreditation and the application process please contact Lee Suter, Football Development Officer (Clubs and Leagues) on or by email [email protected]