A brilliant DVD presentation from Canterbury City FC detailing the clubs excellent community achievements gained County recognition and was instrumental in the club being awarded the 2009 County FA Charter Standard Community Club of the year.
Canterbury City was formed in 2007 and has recently finished its second competitive campaign which resulted in the senior team being promoted into the Vandanel Kent County Premier Division.
The club has a Five Year Community Development Plan that sets out challenging targets for increasing participation levels within those groups typically excluded from the local game, including women, those with special needs and those in vulnerable accommodation. The club also carry out outreach sessions within local schools and colleges.
The club works with a number of partners in delivering their community programme, including Canterbury City Council, the KCFA, the Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT and the local Schools Sport Partnership. In late 2008 the club launched its Community Volunteer Programme which to date has attracted eleven members who have already given in excess of 120 hours service to the local football community.
As the club moves into the second full year of its Community Strategy there are plans for further development. A junior club for those with Down's syndrome is to be launched in early 2010 as well as a local Community Team that will include players with learning disabilities and those in vulnerable accommodation.
Speaking of the award, Mat Keyte who co-ordinates much of City's Community activity said, 'This achievement is one the entire club can be proud of. There are numerous coaches and volunteers who give freely of their time week in-week out and they should take real pride from this accolade'
For further details of the FA Charter Standard Programme please contact lee.suter@kentfa.com.