Jersey Football in Good Health

The achievements in improving standards and implementing best practices by the Island’s League and 17 Clubs has once again been recognised by the Jersey Football Association – One Foundation Charter Standard Awards Scheme. Launched last season, the 2015 awards will continue to provide funding to the Jersey Football Combination League and Clubs who pass the strict criteria to maintain their Charter Standard status.

One Foundation Council member Steve Jacobs said: “We are delighted to continue the support of local football in this way and all of the good work that is being done to improve standards within the game.  One of the objectives of the One Foundation is to support programmes of continuous improvement and the JFA Charter Standard scheme is a model for best practice in that it establishes set criteria, which have to be met and it has an effective audit process that monitors progress.”

The awards scheme focuses on the achievement of specific measureable targets that will increase participation levels, improve administration and develop better players.  In order to participate, the League and Clubs have to produce an annual Development Plan that satisfies the JFA audit process and also passes the FA Charter Standard annual Health Check. Part of the annual audit process ensures that Clubs are properly constituted, have qualified coaches in place, are implementing best practice child welfare policies and are implementing the JFA Respect programme.

Targets for the League are to implement recommendations from the FA Youth Development Review, support the development of new referees, promote the Respect programme and improve efficiency in administration.

JFA Football Development Officer, Brian Oliver said: “The financial support that the One Foundation is providing to the League and our Clubs will help us maintain and improve standards within local football.  We have more than 2,500 players within our club structure and we are seeing tremendous growth within the junior game and we want to ensure that players benefit from working with qualified coaches, that all clubs have codes of conduct in place and that we are creating a safe and fun environment through the Respect programme and nationally recognised child welfare practices.”

The awards will be presented to clubs by One Foundation Council member, Steve Jacobs, at the JFA Annual General Meeting on Thursday 30th July and will vary from £500 for a Charter Standard Adult Club through to £2,000 for a Charter Standard Community Club. The JFC League award is for £1,000.

Examples of where funds could be spent would be, funding FA training courses, attendance at FA Safeguarding Children workshops and Referee training.