What do I need to do to become an Accredited Club?

The requirements to become an Accredited Club are split into four categories: Club, Officials, Documents, and Player Pathways. You can read about how to complete your Accreditation application online using our guides HERE.

Club

• You must have a minimum of one team affiliated to a County FA.
• You must have at least one team playing in an FA-sanctioned league competition.
• If you have three of more teams, you must have a bank account in your club’s name.
• You must have regular club meetings, with the minutes recorded. These may be requested at any time by your County FA.

Officials

• Anyone who has a role with a children’s or youth team must have passed an FA Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS).
• Clubs with youth teams must have a Welfare Officer as a key official.
• All key officials from clubs with youth teams must have a completed a valid Safeguarding Committee Members Course.
• Each of your adult teams must have a named official who has at least The FA Introduction to First Aid in Football. This official must be present at training and all match days.
• Each of your youth teams must have a manager or coach who has passed the minimum of The FA Introduction to Coaching Football, The FA Introduction to First Aid in Football, and The FA Safeguarding Children.

Documents

• You must adopt The FA Club Rules or upload a copy of your own club’s constitutional rules.
• Clubs with young players or youth teams must adopt The FA Safeguarding Children Policies.
• You must adopt The FA Equality Policy at every level of your club.
• You must adopt The Grassroots Code, relevant to you, at every level of your club.
• You must adopt The FA Football Leadership & Diversity Code at every level of your club.
• You must have a Club Development Plan. This can be your own version, or based on the template you can find in Club Portal.
• You must maintain a set of club accounts.

Player Pathways

• To become Accredited, offer a minimum of one affiliated male or female team at any age group, playing within an FA sanctioned league competition OR a minimum of one affiliated disability team.
• To become a two or three star club, you will need complete Player Pathways. You can read more on this HERE.