England Football

England Football Accreditation

England Football Accredited is

THE ACE OF CLUBS

Take the lead. Set the tempo. Raise the roof.

England Football Accredited Leagues and England Football Accredited Clubs set the standards, raise the bar and fly the flag of respect and diversity for football in England. 

Being Accredited helps you attract players, coaches, and volunteers - with tailored support to build the strong, sustainable, successful league or club you want to be. 

England Football Accredited Leagues and England Football Accredited Clubs lead the game by example. They’re safer, stronger, more effective and more enjoyable places to play and enjoy football.

When you’re Accredited you’re not just part of it, you’re the beating heart of it.

FIND OUT MORE

In the Box Podcast

England Football Accredited Clubs | Extra Time

You can view more webinars, podcasts and other grassroots football hub recordings by visiting The Grassroots Football Hub YouTube channel HERE

Contact

Debbie Preston

Football Development Lead

E-Mail: debbie.preston@northantsfa.com

Telephone: 07989 427845

FAQs

Any club affiliated to a County FA that play in the National League System and below, likewise for women’s clubs that play outside the Women’s Super League (BARCLAYS FA WSL) and Women’s Championship (FA WC), tier 3 and below, can apply. Clubs must have at least one team playing within an FA sanctioned league.

Any league sanctioned to a County FA that are the National League System and below, likewise for women’s clubs that play outside the Women’s Super League (BARCLAYS FA WSL) and Women’s Championship (FA WC), tier 3 and below, can apply.

Clubs or leagues should contact their local County FA. Clubs and leagues can expect the support they need to understand what it takes for clubs and leagues to become accredited and assistance with relevant information, guidance and documentation.

It’s FREE. The FA and County FA’s do not charge to become accredited. Clubs and leagues receive benefits and incentives to achieve, maintain and progress their accreditation.

The following rewards are available for accredited leagues and clubs from the 2020/21 season.

Clubs
• Certification
• Football Equipment
• Access to promotional resources and guidance
• Tailored support from The FA where applicable
Leagues
• Certification
• Football Equipment
• Access to promotional resources and guidance
• Tailored support from The FA where applicable

New Clubs will receive:

Adult - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs 
Youth - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
Development - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
Community - Digital welcome pack, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package

Existing Clubs will receive:

• Adult - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs
• Youth - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs
• Development - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package
• Community - Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, Nike Strike footballs & access to redeem a kit & equipment package

New and existing leagues will receive:

• Digital certificate, digital promotional assets, access to redeem a kit & equipment package

 

Leagues should contact your local County FA to register an interest in achieving England Football Accredited. This is done by completing an England Football Accredited 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.

Leagues and clubs achieving The England Football Accredited can be PROUD to be the best place for people to play and enjoy football within their football community.

They demonstrate positive football environments where people experience their football in a safe, fun and inclusive environment.

Whether you are male, female or have a disability, individuals including players, officials, spectators, referees and volunteers feel part of a team thanks to league and club accreditation as they aim to provide FOOTBALL FOR ALL.

For becoming England Football Accredited, leagues and clubs receive access to benefits that help to attract and retain players, volunteers and supporters.

Both accredited leagues and clubs experience benefits, the level of which depends on the level of accreditation for clubs. These include:

Attracting and retaining players, supporters and volunteers through providing safe, fun and inclusive environments for all to experience and enjoy
Funding for football equipment
Access to promotional resources and guidance
Tailored support from The FA and County FAs

Support and resources are available to accredited leagues and clubs help them achieve their ambitions including but not limited to:

Raising standards across the game
Creating positive match day environments
Establishing player pathways for continued participation, placing the player at the centre of all they do
Understanding the role they play in their football community
Becoming a sustainable and financially efficient organisations

There is a minimum criteria for all clubs with some additional criteria specific to clubs with youth teams and clubs with adult teams. 

On-pitch we look for the relevant individuals to hold certain qualifications to ensure they are educated, equipped and empowered to make the training and match day environment a great one.

Off-pitch we ask clubs to have relevant policies and documents in place to ensure they are structured correctly and built to last. FA templates of these policies and documents are available to adopt.

Higher levels of club accreditation are achievable for clubs who have the ambitions to provide more playing opportunities to more people. Clubs who achieve Development or Community club accreditation are given access to greater levels of support, benefits and equipment.

There is only one level of accreditation leagues can apply for. The criteria focus on having in place a 3-year development plan, a minimum percentage of your member clubs accredited with ambitions to grow this percentage, implementation of The FA’s Respect Programme, a focused Referee Officer and an active link with other leagues to support players to find relevant places to continue playing their football.

safeguarding booklet

How to report Safeguarding concerns

Follow the link below to download The FA's new 'How to Report Safeguarding Concerns' booklet.