“The Chelmer & Crouch have always been a good league with an ongoing outlook on how they can help to develop better standards,” he explained. “This award has allowed them to take the next step in that process. CSLs form a key part our 2008-12 Strategy and the positive example they’ve set has meant others are beginning a similar process. By 2012 we’re aiming for a large percentage of our youth leagues to have reached this level.”

The league was formed in 2006 to offer a unique opportunity for clubs to participate in a 9v9 competition for Under 11s and 12s. A successful three-season pilot under the guidance of the ECFA saw others follow suit and 9v9 is now common in Europe as well as establishing itself in counties such as Buckinghamshire and Kent. It is fast becoming a widely-accepted natural bridging progression between mini-soccer and full eleven-a-side football and 55 teams now enjoy their participation in the league each week.

Promoting skill and player development due to a greater individual involvement and the emphasis on their technique, 9v9 also combines a proportional physical demand. Brendan continues: “The development of players has been a key aspect of the league’s ethos to help bridge the gap between mini-soccer and 11v11. They’re the only such league in the County which is a form of football we support and encourage to grow. It allows players more touches on the ball and gives them a stepping stone, providing more time to get to grips with the pitch and goal size as well as the time and space available.”

As part of the award’s criteria, leagues need 60 per cent of their clubs to achieve Charter Standard Club status within two years and undertake key areas of improvement in their own operating standards. Each club must have in place, amongst other things, a Welfare Officer and a Child Protection Policy, as well as ensuring all volunteers have completed Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks. Their managers and coaches should also have appropriate coaching, Safeguarding Children and Emergency Aid qualifications.

“CSLs are one of the tools we are using to continue to raise standards across grassroots football,” Brendan added. “By reaching this status, all the competition’s member clubs will become Charter Standard Clubs. This means most of their coaches will be competent, they will have Codes of Conduct for their players, coaches and spectators and the club will have equality and safeguarding children policies to help ensure the environment they play in is inclusive and supportive. That has to be a good thing.”

In addition to the increased support from the ECFA in developing their competition, CSLs also benefit from the chance to promote themselves using the exclusive Charter branding. Each CSL receives a benefits package, as Club Development Officer Ian Bent explains: “There are many benefits attached, including a three-year development plan and annual health check designed to assist and enable them to achieve their own goals.”