The Football Association has awarded Charter Standard status to a North Riding FA-affiliated futsal club for the very first time

North Riding County FA is delighted to announce that Bootham Futsal Club has become the first-ever futsal club affiliated to North Riding FA to be awarded Charter Standard status by the Football Association.

Charter Standard is a kitemark of excellence for grassroots leagues and clubs. It shows they have achieved a high standard in all areas of the club – from coaching qualifications to organisation, club structure and safeguarding procedures.

Chris Collins, head coach at Bootham Futsal Club, said: “We are delighted at this achievement. It is testament to all the hard work that goes on week in, week out behind-the-scenes. When we established the club just over a year ago, we never expected the amazing support we’ve received from the players and parents of York and the surrounding area. We started with just 10 girls and now have over 30 - and we’re still growing week-to-week.

“We have big plans for the club and have already committed to entering a team into the Women’s FA Cup qualifiers next season, which is a huge step for the club. We want to continue developing the club at all age groups, but especially the younger ones. We want girls to fall in love with the game and keep playing for many years.

“We would like to thank Donna Crowthers at North Riding FA for her amazing, continued support, Laura Young at North Yorkshire Sports - without whom we wouldn’t be here - and finally Rebecca Lee-Bursnall at St Peter’s School for providing an outstanding facility.”

Futsal is a priority for both North Riding FA and The FA, with the latter recently releasing a new strategy titled ‘Fast Forward with Futsal’, which aims to make the format the number one indoor game of choice for young footballers in England.

Donna Crowthers, Football Development Officer at North Riding FA, added: “I’m so pleased that Bootham Futsal Club has received the Charter Standard award. Over the past 12 months Chris and the other volunteers have worked tirelessly to put everything in place to ensure there is a safe and positive environment for the girls.

“The fact that they are purely a futsal club who wanted to get this award on their own merit is amazing; it offers something slightly different for females in the area. Clubs like Bootham Futsal are vital if The FA is going to achieve its goal of making futsal the number one indoor game for young people. We’re proud to have such a fantastic club within our region and will continue to work with them to ensure they go from strength-to-strength in the coming years.”

To find out more about futsal and learn how you can get involved, please CLICK HERE or email Support@NorthRidingFA.com