Newtown Sports Junior Football Club

Press Release - February 2003

Newtown Sports Junior Football Club has become the first football club in Malvern to attain the Football Association’s Charter Standard award. This is a prestigious accreditation through which the FA seeks to establish, reward and encourage good practice at grass roots levels so that parents and children can demand a minimum standard of provision.

To become recognised in this way the club's coaches had to complete FA coaching courses, attend child protection training and agree to adhere to codes of conduct.

Andy Norman the Worcestershire FA Development Officer, said: "This is an excellent achievement by Newtown Sports Junior FC, who become one of only a handful of clubs in the county to achieve the status."

Club Secretary, Don Loader said: "I am very proud of the Club achieving this award in my final year. I have been involved with the Club for 21 years, and I would like to thank all the Volunteers at the club who have put in a great deal of time and effort to achieve this award. By completing first aid, child protection and football coaching training, we are able to say to parents that their children can play at the club in a safe environment and receive quality football coaching."

In addition to getting the Charter Standard, the Club has recently been accredited as a TOP Sport Football coaching centre. The FA TOP Sport Football programme aims to offer 5-11 year olds appropriate football opportunities as part of a community programme.

Chairman, Martyn Twinberrow said: "Again, this is a marvellous achievement by the Club, however we do not intend to rest on our laurels. We intend to raise the profile of the Club and improve the opportunities for all young children to get involved in football. Our aim is to expand our Saturday morning coaching sessions for more Primary School children in Malvern. Over the years we have generally attracted children by word of mouth. Now we have the qualified coaches and FA recognition for a community programme we intend to be more pro-active and encourage those of all abilities to come and have fun, especially the majority of girls in Malvern who have been overlooked. To this end we have established a Coaching Centre that takes place on Saturday mornings between 9.00 am - 10.15 am at Lower Howsell Road Playing Fields for boys and girls aged between 5-11.

If you would like more information about Newtown Sports Junior Football Club or the Coaching Centre, please contact Don Loader Club Secretary, on 01684 567977 or Martyn Twinberrow, Chairman on 0777 378 3017.

Newtown Sports Junior FC are an established football club based in Malvern, who provide opportunities for boys up to the age of 16 and girls up to the age of 11 to train, play and enjoy football. Formed in 1979 the Club has grown and this season has 10 teams affiliated to the Mercian Elgar Junior Football League.