THE Football Association has just launched what is already being heralded as its most innovative and exciting new initiative for grass roots football ever and three of our local clubs have been heavily involved in the pilot project.

Daisy Hill, Horwich Town and Walshaw Sports were included among 40 youth teams nationwide to act as guinea pigs in the formulation of the FA Charter Standard.

The whole concept is designed to set new standards of the highest order for grass roots football focused initially on the under 16s age groups.

Spawned from the FA's 1997 Charter for Quality which made the player central to all football developments, the stated aim of the new concept is "to raise standards, recognise good practice and reward quality".

The Charter Standard is a "how to" for anyone running a football club. From basic club structure and constitution through to reaching the highest levels in coaching awards the concept is a framework for the achievement of excellence.

Every aspect of football team involvement is covered creating a sure and safe haven of expertise for the development of young talent.

For a parent surely nothing could be better for peace of mind. In choosing to send their boy or girl to a club with a Charter Standard they can rest assured they have made a sound decision.

Coaches will be qualified and vetted and the whole environment will have to meet set levels of quality. The concept has been likened to choosing a plumber who is CORGI registered or buying a product with the kite mark.

Just as in choosing a school for a child's education there will now be the same guide to select a football team. In creating the right community spirit and behaviour for clubs the aim is to attract more children to the game and to provide the right environment for them developing and staying with it.

The ultimate could be joining a team at age six or seven, playing through junior into senior ranks and on into veteran football, possibly taking up an administrative position along the way. A whole lifetime of football in one quality environment.

A massive £60 million had been earmarked by the FA in commitment and backing to the Charter Standard to turn this dream into reality. Of that £32 million will be spent in the next 12 months improving facilities, coaching and most importantly pitches.

Estimates of future investment are even greater. The aim is to have 750 clubs signed up to the programme this year, 3,000 after three years and 40,000 by the end of the decade.

The nationwide launch took place at the Lancashire FA headquarters at Leyland with Liverpool and England star Jamie Redknapp the guest celebrity adding his full backing to the scheme. MJohn Bullen looks an exciting new scheme for grass roots football