Building on our Accredited Soccer School programme which was launched in 2012, we are delighted to invite applications to become a Licensed Football Provider by Kent FA.

With no regulation as to who can set up a football coaching company, our licensing programme aims to promote those providers that can prove provision of high quality, enjoyable and inclusive playing opportunities in a safe environment. This is achieved by evidencing that appropriate insurance, policies and qualifications are in place and remain so. 

Organisations, such as East Kent Futsal Partnership, who are the first to achieve the new status, hold the licence for two years before they must reapply and demonstrate a continued passion for providing a high quality and safe environment. The criteria required builds on the FA Charter Standard programme to ensure the benchmark achieved is of the highest quality.

Luke Baker, Football Development Officer for youth football and mini-soccer, said, “our new Licensed Football Provider programme allows organisations who want to achieve our kite-mark to demonstrate that they are providing football in a safe, fun and inclusive way. With so much choice, it is crucial that we recognise and reward those organisations who provide the right environment for our young people to love the game.”

Schools are also encouraged to ensure that only providers who hold the Kent FA Licence work within their educational environment as we are not able to assure other providers meet the standards that we would expect them to be at.

Organisations can apply at either Gold, Silver or Bronze level which demonstrates differing level of provision. We have also adapted the pathway to incorporate the growing number of organisations who are providing futsal. 

Tim Sells, Owner and Head Coach of The East Kent Futsal Partnership said, “The Kent FA Licensed Football Provider Award is a great initiative as it gives parents, players and clubs peace of mind. To obtain the award we were asked to meet stringent criteria which proves our safeguarding and insurance are up to date.

With anyone able to set up a private football academy or deliver coaching sessions, we felt it is essential that parents, players and clubs know that we hold the necessary qualifications and insurance to do so and this award does that for them.”

Tim also encouraged others to apply for the Licence by saying, “the award itself is free, therefore, I would seriously question why any organisation that is coaching children would not undertake it. Luke and the team at Kent FA provided me with fantastic support throughout my application and I would thoroughly recommend all private football providers and coaching companies to apply. 

Tim is also a parent and after knowing the value of the award he said “I would never send my kids to a football coaching organisation that did not hold the Kent FA Licence as I cannot be that the environment they have is safe, fun and inclusive.”  

If your organisation would like to become a Licensed Football Provider then please click here for more information.