Proactive Teamwear Ltd, as sponsors of the league, would like to pass on congratulations to the Hull Boys League as they are the first to receive the Charter Standard League award.
The Hull Boys Sunday Football League (HBSFL) is celebrating after becoming the first League in England to achieve the prestigious FA Charter Standard League award.
The Charter Standard League award is a flagship initiative for The FA, and assesses the ability of a League to provide a high quality, safe and enjoyable football experience against a standard set of criteria. It also encourages the League to continually develop, through ongoing support from staff at the East Riding FA and the review and ongoing development of a League Development Plan, as part of an annual health check process.
Quite fittingly, the League is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is currently providing football for just under 6,000 players each week through its 416 member teams.
"I am delighted that the Hull Boys League was the first in England to achieve the Charter Standard League award," said Andrew Hailwood, The FA’s Regional Football Development Manager (North).
"It is testament to the commitment and progressive attitude of this League and its’ member clubs that the League was able to come through this process in such a short space of time. Many other Leagues around the region and the country are seeking to emulate the Hull Boys League, but are finding that they still have significant work to do before they achieve the standard.
"Charter Standard League status is far more than a paper exercise," he continued. "It is a process through which a League and its clubs can look to improve their activities across a range of areas including, child protection, coaching, officiating and administration. Hull Boys League should be applauded for embracing this process and demonstrating that they are constantly striving to improve, for players, coaches, referees and clubs."
As part of the criteria to attain the League award, Clubs have also had to become Charter Standard Clubs and therefore undertake some key areas of improvement in their operating standards. Each Club must now have in place amongst other things, a Club Welfare Officer, a Child Protection Policy, all volunteers to have CRB checks, managers/coaches to have appropriate coaching, Safeguarding Children and Emergency Aid qualifications.
This work coupled with support from the East Riding FA Development Team has also meant that in excess of £150,000 has been accessed via the Football Foundation Small Grants Scheme which has gone directly to many of the member Clubs to help create over 100 new teams over the next three years.
Graham Turner, Football Development Officer for the East Riding FA, said: "To attain the Charter Standard League award is a fantastic achievement, and this League should be congratulated for their positive and forward thinking attitudes to the development of junior football in the area.
"The member clubs also need credit as they have put a lot of hard work into achieving Charter Standard Club status, therefore allowing the League to be in a position to apply for the award.
"Achieving the Charter Standard League award and the level of investment accessed for the member clubs will ensure that the League will continue to grow and provide a quality football experience for many years to come."
Les Fussey, Chairman of the Hull Boys Sunday Football League, spoke of his delight at achieving this kitemark: "This award is about us achieving high standards in providing safer, more enjoyable football for boys and girls at the younger age, through bringing a much needed emphasis on ‘Respect’ both on and off the field. It’s also about opening the doors for development opportunities for clubs and teams through the excellent development team at the East Riding FA who we have to thank for their hard work in helping us achieving this award.
"The kids are the most important beneficiaries whilst mums and dads should be able to go to matches and enjoy what they see instead of worrying about bad behaviour. Charter Standard clubs and teams can get much needed cash in small grants.
"We have become leaders in the field of providing great opportunities for our kids."
