Our County winners were invited to the game to be presented with their awards by Beds FA Director, Keith Swain. Presentations took place on the pitch during half time.
Luton joined the party as they too came out winners on the night and progress to the area final and hopefully onto Wembley.
Charter Standard Clubs and Schools within Bedfordshire were the pick of the bunch this year as they scoped Regional and National Awards.
The Bedfordshire FA hold county awards every season to recognise those clubs, schools, coaches and administrators who have excelled in football development and raising standards
Bedfordshire’s 2008 Charter Standard County Award Winners
Clubs
Club - Eastcotts FC
Adult Club – Sandy Ladies FC
Development Club – EB Lions FC
Community Club – AFC Dunstable
Coach – Harjit Singh, Bedford Town Youth FC
Administrator – Chris Nelson, Eastcotts FC
Schools
Primary – Pirton Hill
Primary Development – Wenlock
C of E Junior
Secondary – Cardinal Newman
Secondary Development – Wootton Upper
Sports College – Redborne Upper & Community College
Special School – Grange Special
Four of our County Winners also went onto further success in winning the Eastern Region Award.
Regional Winners
Adult Club – Sandy Ladies FC
Development Club – EB Lions FC
Club Coach – Harjit Singh, Bedford Town Youth FC
Primary School – Pirton Hill
National Awards
The success does not stop there for our clubs and coaches in the county. To be recognised on a National scale is truly a prestigious honour and amazing achievement. There are 6 Charter Standard award categories and 2 of these category winners came from Bedfordshire.
Sandy Ladies FC won the National Charter Standard Adult Club award. Sandy Ladies play in the Beds & Herts County Girl’s & Women’s Football League. Sandy Ladies are a lot more than just a football team in that they give back to football much more than they take out. Many members of the squad go out of their way to help both other Sandy Colts teams and help with organising/refereeing school football tournaments.
Harjit Singh, Coach for Bedford Town Youth FC won the National Charter Standard Coach Award. Harjit coaches an under-9s team, none of whom had played football before and Harjit had to persist in running numerous trials and training sessions to form this new team. Harjit passed his level 1 and level 2 coaching badges in one year and has attended the FA’s new age appropriate courses. Harjit is now assisting 2 new mangers in forming new teams for Bedford Town Youth FC.
Sandy Ladies and Harjit Singh were presented with their awards by Sir Trevor Brooking and Sir Geoff Hurst before the England v Kazakhstan game at Wembley in October.
If you would like to find out my about The FA Charter Standard scheme please contact: James Slack, Football Development Officer.
Tel: 01582 567719 or e-mail: james.slack@bedfordshirefa.com