English Schools' Football Association

As preparations are under way for appointing team managers to County and District Schools’ FA Representative Teams for next season, the ESFA would like to clarify the position regarding adults other than teachers (AOTTS) taking up positions within an Association’s team management structure.

English Schools’ FA direct that all teams must be under the ultimate control of either

(i) a practising teacher, recognised as such by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, or

(ii) a retired teacher, or present or past employee of the education service who has received direct approval in writing from the appropriate local or county Schools’ Football Association to undertake such responsibilities.

(iii) A person who has direct approval in writing from the appropriate Local or County Schools’ Football Association who:-

(a) has at least a level 1 FA coaching qualification.

(b) has undergone a (CRB) Criminal Records Bureau check – any payment associated with this shall be the responsibility of the local/county Schools’ Football Association. This information must be registered with the ESFA on the appropriate form and the CRB certificate must be attached to the form. This registration is to be done on a three year basis. Approval may be withdrawn by the ESFA, or the Local or County Schools’ Football Association, at any time. Any other person assisting with or coaching a team must operate in the presence of a person who is qualified under (i) or (ii) above.

(c) Any official or player representing a School or Association in membership with the Welsh Schools’ FA participating in any of the ESFA national competitions who is reported for misconduct, on or off the field of play, shall be referred to the Council of the Welsh Schools’ FA for appropriate action.

This information has been reproduced from the English Schools’ FA handbook for Season 2011-2012.