The Middlesex County Football Association’s annual Charter Standard Cup competition concluded with its finals night on Tuesday 14th July 2009 at Kodak Sports Ground in Harrow. The tournament which ran over the first two weeks of July was staged to provide U11 boys their first experience of playing 11-a-side football before the season begins in September.
Eighteen Charter Standard teams from across Middlesex entered into the competition which provided at least 160 minutes experience of playing on bigger pitches with full size goals. Previously the players will have only played mini-soccer football and with the step up to the U11 age groups, who will now be playing 11-a-side games, this competition has been in place for the past five years.
Played over five nights always on a round-robin three way group basis teams qualified for either a Cup or Plate competition. Culminating in a finals night Harrow St Mary’s Youth, Headstone Manor Youth and Yeading HEW contested the Cup whilst Pitshanger, St Josephs Youth 88 and Wealdstone played for the Plate.
Each competition was very tight throughout with Harrow St Mary’s Youth edging the Cup on goal difference and St Josephs Youth 88 leading the Plate. All teams on finals night received trophies presented by the MCFA President Derek Mennell and Chairman Jim Taylor. The primary objective for the tournament was to provide the players the opportunity to play 11-a-side football.
The competition also offered newly qualified referees the chance to officiate and learn the game in a controlled environment where they were mentored through each game. The experience that the players and referees gained from the tournament will now stand them in good stead for the forthcoming season.
Football Development Officer, Steeven Sharpe commented “we have been delighted with the football talent on display at the MCFA Charter Standard Cup but were particularly impressed with the players’ attitude to the game and could see the enjoyment and satisfaction they were getting from playing full-sided football.”
The Charter Standard award was introduced by the Football Association to raise standards, recognise good practice and reward quality. It has recently been redefined to reflect a new FA strategy which targets 75% of teams nationwide achieving the award.
In order to attain the FA Charter Standard the clubs taking part have had to put managers through FA Coaching courses, have a written constitution, a Child Protection policy and codes of conducts for Players, Spectators and Managers. Benefits for the club include use of the FA Charter Standard logo, Umbro equipment vouchers, free in-service training days, free England youth tickets and much more.
For more information about the MCFA Charter Standard Cup information or the award in general please contact Steeven Sharpe, Football Development Officer (Clubs), for the Middlesex County FA on 020 8515 6901 or email steeven.sharpe@middlesexfa.com