One of Norfolk’s most prominent adult leagues, the Central & South Norfolk League, has been given the green light by the FA in their bid to become an FA Charter Standard League.

The FA Charter Standard League is an accreditation that sets an operational benchmark for FA sanctioned leagues. It is awarded to leagues which can demonstrate their commitment to provide well organised football in safer, more inclusive environments.

Having already expressed interest in gaining the status previously, the league’s application was completed as part of a pilot introduced by The FA at the start of this season in a bid to encourage more leagues to gain Charter Standard League accreditation.

Since then it has been a case of league volunteers working closely with Norfolk FA staff to determine what initiatives the Central and South Norfolk League would need to introduce to meet the FA’s specific criteria.

Becoming an FA Charter Standard League requires Management Committees to pull together League Delivery Plans that aim to raise standards, increase sustainability, and demonstrate efforts to be more progressive and inclusive.

And after months of hard work, recent communication has confirmed that the league’s delivery plan has been met with a thumbs up from The FA.

Central & South Norfolk League Secretary, John Turner said: "The Central & South Norfolk League is delighted to have been accredited as a Charter Standard League by the FA.

“It has long been an ambition of the Management Committee to achieve this award and, with fantastic backing from our clubs (over 90% in favour of making an application), and tremendous support and encouragement from Norfolk FA, we now intend to build on this achievement to make the league and our clubs ever stronger by embracing the opportunities that accreditation brings."

Norfolk FA Football Development Officer (Clubs & Leagues), Anna Larkins added: "It has been a pleasure supporting the Central & South Norfolk League throughout this application process; it’s great to see a committee invest in their clubs the way this league has.

“Congratulations to the league, they should be extremely proud of this achievement and I look forward to working with them and their member clubs more closely in seasons to come.”

Nathan Batchelor, FA National Grassroots Leagues Services Manager, commented: "It is testament to the commitment and progressive attitude of this league and its member clubs that the league is able to attain Charter Standard League status.

“The league should be applauded for embracing this process and demonstrating that they are constantly striving to improve, for players, coaches, referees and clubs.”