East Lancs Football alliance earns coveted FA charter award (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancs Football alliance earns coveted FA charter award

5:42pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport

The East Lancashire Football Alliance has had its Charter Standard League status renewed by the FA for another three years.

The renewal of the much coveted award follows a comprehensive review of its practices and procedures by the junior league and detailed proposals of how it is going to make progress in the future.

“We are extremely pleased to have been granted Charter Standard status once again,” said chairman John McGregor. “But this is not just about gaining recognition, it is about developing youth football for the good of players, coaches and parents alike.”

The ELFA, with support from its sponsors Forbes Solicitors and McDonalds, has consistently pioneered the FA's Youth Development Programme and secretary Craig Wilkinson and football development officer Peter Thornton have been invited by the FA to speak to other county associations and leagues to illustrate just how the new initiatives have had a positive effect.

This season the ELFA has introduced different competition formats at U7s, U8s and U9s and also split the season in to three instead of the usual Sept-May slog.

“The trick is never to rest on your laurels,” said cive vice chairman Lee Halstead. “We are always looking to see if we can improve and make junior football even more enjoyable for everyone.”