A School Club link is an agreement between a school and a community-based sports club to work together to meet the needs of young people; providing new and varied opportunities for sport and physical activity.

School club links aim to create as many opportunities for young people to compete inside and outside of school, and should be beneficial to both organisations. Most communities do not know what clubs are in their area and so personal contact is the best way to promote your club – posters are not enough! Creating a partnership with your local schools by getting in contacting with them, discussing your shared aims and deciding how best to work together can have a positive impact on getting more young people playing the game.

Please try and contact the school via the contact information that they display on their respective websites, or speak to school reception about the best person to speak to. If you are unable to make contact, please contact Suffolk FA for more help.

Ideally your targeted club will have Charter Standard (Club Mark) if the club does not have Charter Standard please contact Suffolk FA for advice on how to proceed. Coaches involved in the link must be suitably qualified and should be observed by a member of school staff, they should also have an in date Criminal Records Check (CRC). The school will need to assure itself that the club it is linking to is well managed.

The English Federation of Disability Sport has recently launched a new resource entitled: The Inclusion Club Hub. For more information please visit http://www.inclusion-club-hub.co.uk/

Suffolk FA can help to facilitate clubs setting up school club links through the School Games Organiser network. We can also support clubs to ensure that coaches have the necessary qualifications and checks to deliver in a school setting.