The Football Association (FA)

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- The Football Association (FA)

FA Coaching Association (FACA)

Endorsements

...enhanced by the formation of a Coaches Association to illustrate the importance of good qualifications and also to keep members up-to-date and abreast of the ever-changing world of football." - Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive, Professional Footballers' Association

"A national Association of Coaches is, in our opinion, long overdue, much needed and will be a great facility to all coaches." - John Barnwell, Chief Executive, League Managers' Association

The Four steps to becoming a Top Coach

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- The Football Association (FA)

The Charter Standard Scheme

The FA Charter Standard Clubs programme, supported by FA Community Partner McDonald's, was launched in February 2001 and is a core component of The FA Football Development programme

The project is aimed at boys and girls under sixteen years old and will help children and parents find a club in their local area that meets FA standards.

Criteria

The FA, in conjunction with various bodies, has drawn up the following set of criteria for clubs wishing to reach Charter Standard:

· A written constitution

· Self-certified screening of managers, coaches and officials

· All managers to have minimum of FA Junior Team Managers Award

· Commitment to attend in-service training

· Acceptance and promotion of Codes of Conduct

* Commitment to provide Mini-Soccer opportunities for under 10's...

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- The Football Association (FA)

The Charter Standard Scheme

Criteria

· Commitment to promote schools liaison and equal opportunities for all

Benefits

Clubs that are successful in achieving the Charter will get access to a range of benefits:

· Use of Charter Standard Crest

· Exclusive Regional Workshops

· Access to Child Protection Training

· Kit and Equipment Grants

· National and Regional Awards

· Subsidies for FA Junior Team Managers and other courses

· Certificates

· Starter Pack, including posters, Codes of Conduct, Certificates

· First Aid Kit

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- The Football Association (FA)

FA TOPS

In partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and supported by Walkers Crisps, the TOP Sport program aims to increase opportunities to develop football in the PE curriculum for 7-11 year olds. It offers training for teachers and community involvement.

In order for schools to become part of the program, they are first required to contact their Local Education Area manager, whereby teachers are then required to attend a generic TOP Sport training day coordinated by their LEA.

Once the first course has been completed, teachers must then attend a top-up TOP Sport Football Course, coordinated by the local LEA and County FA to assist them to learn new football ideas to deliver as part of the National Curriculum.

Children enjoy and learn football through game related practices, using simple rules, smaller equipment and playing areas, plus fun teaching to ensure every boy and girl feels successful.

The Soccability training program has been specifically designed to support the needs of young people in special schools or special units within mainstream education.

All schools involved in the program will receive six footballs, one set of TOP Sport football goals that break down into six target goals, enabling large groups to fully participate in sessions, and a set of resources cards to be used for...

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- The Football Association (FA)

FA TOPS

...training sessions

Community TOP Sport training days are held to assist teachers and coaches run after school TOP Sport football clubs. These can be based at clubs, schools or youth centers. These community clubs ensure that children can develop their game outside lessons.

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- The Football Association (FA)

JFO Course

The Junior Football Organisers Course is a training scheme designed to give young people aged 14- 18 skills in leading groups through safe football related activities.

The course encourages students to take responsibility for 6 - 11 year old children in organising activities such as FA Top Sport Football Clubs and Mini-Soccer festivals and games.

The course is divided into 13 sessions and lasts for a total of six and a half hours. Participants must complete each of the sessions under the guidance of a qualified FA JFO tutor. As part of the course students also organise a festival of football or other football related activities.

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- The Football Association (FA)

County FA's

The 43 County Football Associations are the administrative backbone of grassroots football throughout the country. The Counties are independent bodies, affiliated to The FA, but responsible for running all aspects of the game at the local level. Around 40,000 football clubs in total are affiliated to County FA's.

Many of the County FA's have been in existence from more than a century. Sheffield FA (now Sheffield & Hallamshire) was the first to be formed, in 1867, and was followed by Birmingham (1875), Surrey and Shropshire, both in 1877, Berks and Bucks, Cheshire and Lancashire (all 1878). The key administrative functions of County FA's revolve around the affiliation of local competitions and leagues, registration of players, organisation of match officials and administering of discipline.

Over recent years, Counties have expanded their activities and are now involved in developing the game at the local level, through initiatives such as coaching, Mini-Soccer, Girl's and Women's football, running training programmes for referees and First Aid courses.

Each County is working towards implementing a Development Plan, in conjunction with local partners. In each area, the County FA co-ordinates a Local Football Partnership, which brings together football and other partners to create and prioritise football facility and development plans for the region.

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- The Football Association (FA)

The National League System

The League structure in England is the most comprehensive and competitive in the world, with around 40,000 affiliated clubs playing in 2000 leagues.

Working with leagues and clubs, The FA aims to improve the National League System, making it an exciting, fun and effective league structure with quality competitions.

Many MLS member clubs have already signed up to Full-Time, The FA's online league administration system, and can benefit from seeing the league's and team's results on www.thefa.com.

The Football Association Leagues/Divisions at Steps 1 to 7 of the National League System (as from season 2004/2005)

As at 29th February 2004

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- The Football Association (FA)

Step 1

and 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 1

Isthmian League Premier Division

Isthmian League Div 1

Northern League Div 1

Northern League Div 2

Northern Alliance

Football Conference (National)

Northern Premier League Premier Division

Northern Premier League Div 1

Northern Counties East Div 1

Northern Counties East Div 2

Wearside League

Step 2

Southern League Premier Division

Southern League Div 1 (North)

North West Counties League Div 1

North West Counties League Div 2

Liverpool Combination

Football Conference North

Southern League Div 1(South)

Central Midlands League

Football Conference South

Midland Football Alliance

United Counties League Div 1

Manchester League

United Counties League Prem Div

Hellenic League Div 1 West

Mid Cheshire League

Hellenic League Premier Div

Hellenic League Div 1 East

Midland League

Eastern Counties League Div 1

Eastern Counties League Div 2

West Cheshire League

Western League Premier Div

Western League Div 1

West Lancashire League

Wessex League Division 1

Wessex League Division 2

Wessex League Division 3

Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division

Spartan South Midlands League Division 1

Spartan South Midlands League Division 2

Combined Counties League Premier Division

Bedford & District League

Kent League

Brighton Hove & District League

Isthmian League Division 2

Cambridgeshire Premier League

Essex Senior League

Crawley & District League

Sussex Counties League Div 1

Sussex Counties League Div 2

Sussex County League Div 3

Combined Counties League Division 1

Dorset Premier League

East Sussex Border League

Devon County League

Anglian Combination

Essex & Suffolk Border League

Gloucestershire County League

Kent County League

Leicestershire Senior League

Mid Sussex League

Midland Combination

North Berks League

Northamptonshire Combination

Northampton Town League

Oxfordshire Senior League

Peterborough & District League

Reading League

Somerset Senior League

South Western League

Suffolk & Ipswich League

West Midlands (Regional)

West Sussex League

Wiltshire Football League

Worthing & District League

Essex Intermediate League

Hertfordshire County League

Middlesex County League

East Berkshire League

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-The Football Association (FA)

Regional and National Cups

The FA Cups

There are a number of different cups provided by the FA, the main one being The FA Cup. This cup is for all teams of a high standard ranging from professional full-time teams, and teams from the Football Conference (national) and Football Conference North and South. Cups run by the FA include;

- The FA Cup

- The FA Trophy

With amateur clubs still being afforded that opportunity in The FA Amateur Cup (until 1974 when the competition was last played), it was felt that clubs with professional players, who could only enter The FA Cup, should have a more realistic chance of making it to the famed Twin Towers.

- The FA Vase

Prior to 1974, football players were either professionals or they were amateurs.

Professionals were paid to play by clubs whose entry into cup competitions was restricted to The FA Cup (or The FA Trophy) Amateurs, on the other hand, did not get paid and had their own cup competition, The FA Amateur Cup.

In 1974, with many of the top amateur players receiving payment for playing, The FA abolished the distinction, scrapped the Amateur Cup and introduced The FA Vase for the majority of clubs who had previously played in the...

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-The Football Association (FA)

...Amateur Cup.

- The FA Women's Cup

The first ever women's cup began in 1970-71 season and was called the Women's Football Association Mitre Challenge Trophy.

The inaugural men's cup final was played at the Kennington Oval nearly 100 years earlier in 1872.

- The FA Youth Cup

The Football Association launched the Youth Cup in 1952 following the success of the County Youth Championship, set up seven years earlier. With talented school leavers finding it hard to break immediately into senior football, the Youth Cup was seen as the ideal breeding ground for the footballers of the future.

At first many clubs did not have an organised youth structure but today all clubs, both League and non-League, have realised the importance of nurturing future talent. Hence the depth and breath of the entrants. In 1999, 312 clubs entered, with three qualifying rounds preceding six proper rounds and the semi-final and a two-legged final.

To qualify for the Youth Cup, teams must play in a Youth League or an equivalent competition and must be fully integrated within the main structure of the Senior Club. The players selected must be under the age of 18 as at midnight on the 31 August of the current season. A player who is 18 or over on this date is not eligible to participate in the competition.

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I have recently played in the FA Youth Cup this season for Henley Town Youth Team reaching the first round proper, however going down 3-0 to a strong Brentford F.C Academy Youth Team.

- The FA Sunday Cup

Prior to 1955, The Football Association did not permit clubs or players under its jurisdiction to take part in competitive football played on Sunday.

A change of heart by the governing body in 1960 allowed Sunday leagues to become affiliated to County Associations and, four years later, The F.A. started the Sunday Cup for non-contract amateur players playing for clubs in the top division of their Sunday league.

- The FA County Youth Cup

The County Youth Cup, originally known as the County Minor (Youths') Championship, was launched in 1944-45 by The Football Association to provide representative football for the best young players who had not signed up with professional clubs.

Nowadays, any player under written contract, including Trainee/Scholarship players, or those registered at Academies or Centres of Excellence, is not eligible to compete in the competition.

Players under the age of 18, be they at school or playing in leagues affiliated to County Football Associations, are eligible, although not all County FAs take up entry into the competition. The Army, Navy and RAF are also entitled to...

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-The Football Association (FA)

...enter a team each. Forty-seven sides have entered the competition for the forthcoming 2004/05 season.

During this season, I was also invited to trials for the Berks & Bucks representative team in this competition. Unfortunately being an u17 player I was not selected for the final squad however next year being an u18 player I will again attend the trials.

- The FA Community Shield

Formerly known as the Charity Shield, The FA Community Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser to the domestic season between the League and FA Cup Champions.

The first Charity Shield match was played in 1908 between Manchester United, reigning Football League Champions, and Queens Park Rangers, then Southern League Champions. In 1974 FA Secretary Ted Croker proposed that the Shield should be played at Wembley as a curtain-raiser to the new season between the reigning League Champions and FA Cup holders.

Arsenal are current Shield holders after beating Manchester United 3-1 and claimed a record-equalling 11th outright win.

- The FA National League System Cup

The National League System Cup, the 8th and newest competition in The FA's portfolio, is now in its inaugural...

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-The Football Association (FA)

...season and has been exciting hordes of non-league football fans since its first-ever game on 20th September 2003.

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-The Football Association (FA)

The FA Doping Control and Health Education Programme

* All tests are carried out randomly, however, there is provision in the guidelines for The FA to 'target' a player if this is requested by his club or P.F.A. and where there is significant evidence to do so.

* The Football Association works to a comprehensive set of Memoranda and Procedural Guidelines. There is a very tight set of Guidelines, Rules and Regulations covering this important area. In addition to this, guidelines regarding disciplinary sanctions for offending players have been formulated.

* The FA Doping Control Programme is carried out in conjunction with the UK Sports Council Doping Control Unit.

* It is important to have an independent outside body rather than totally control sample collection and selection of games as the governing body.

* All matches, training sessions and players are randomly selected for testing and at each visit two or three Independent Sampling Officers (ISO's) from The Sports Council are accompanied by an FA Supervising Officer who is either a Doctor or Physiotherapist approved by The FA.

* The role of the FA representative is to ensure full co-operation from the player and club involved, to explain the rules and procedures to players and officials where necessary and to check all the paperwork completed out by the Sampling Officers is in order.

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-The Football Association (FA)

* A further role is to excuse a player from a testing 'event' on medical grounds, where a significant injury requires a player to attend hospital immediately.

* For 'In Competition' testing at a game, the drug testing team arrive unannounced at the chosen club. Two players are selected from each Club at random during the half time interval.

* After the game, the players are directed to a sample collection area (room with toilet facilities). The sample collection procedure is explained to the players and carried out in accordance with the drug testing guidelines.

* The Sampling Officer(s) will collect the urine samples and organise the despatch of these samples to the IOC accredited laboratory for analysis. The results of the comprehensive analysis of samples are forwarded to the Administrator of the FA Doping Control Programme privately and confidentially.

* In the case of a positive find, a separate procedure is put into action. The FA Chief Executive, The Professional Footballers Association (Union) and the FA Compliance Department are informed of the find.

* If a player's positive find is for performance enhancing drugs, it is highly likely that he will be charged with misconduct for bringing the game into disrepute and would appear before an FA Disciplinary Commission.

* If the player's positive find is for any prohibited substance, The FA would seek an interview with the player. Depending on the outcome of the interview the...

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-The Football Association (FA)

...player may be charged with misconduct and ordered to appear before an FA Disciplinary Commission.

The FA Disciplinary Commission may take one or more of the following actions: -

- No action is to be taken

- A warning as to future conduct

- Punitive sanctions against the player (ban)

- Request a clinical assessment of the player

Decide that the player will receive: -

- Counselling

- Treatment

- And/or rehabilitation for the condition

- Probationary target testing following treatment or rehabilitation (if required).

Results of the FA Doping Control Programme

SEASON

TESTS CONDUCTED

SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE FINDS

994 / 1995

272

2

995 / 1996

272

7

996 / 1997

500

5

997 / 1998

500

3

998 / 1999

546

2

999 / 2000

016

5

2000 / 2001

034

6

2001 / 2002

107

7

2002 / 2003

201

8

Liam Illsley