Hackney Marshes Girls Football League

Hackney Marshes Girls Football League awarded England Football Accredited status

Congratulations to Hackney Marshes Girls Football League for being awarded England Football Accreditation League status.

The London FA is delighted to announce that Hackney Marshes Girls Football League have been awarded England Football Accreditation League status.

Hackney Marshes Girls Football League is the fifth league to achieve England Football Accreditation, formerly FA Charter Standard, this season.

The league has been facilitating football for 26 girls teams this season. The league formed to fill the gap in female provision in London. The league has become the second London FA affiliated all female league to gain England Football Accreditation. We spoke to league officials, Hackney Council, London FA CEO and the FA about achieving England Football Accreditation.

From Leah Godfrey, League Co-chair: "We are tremendously proud to have been awarded English Football Accreditation. The Hackney Marshes Girl’s League focuses on breaking down barriers to female participation via our Virtual Fixture League where new & fledgling teams can play for free and our Club Incubator Program which offers bespoke team building support. Both these first in class initiatives are due in large part to robust support from London FA and The London Borough of Hackney who I would like to thank for supporting the league’s accreditation!’"

Michael Cole, League Co-Chair: "On behalf of the Hackney Marshes Girls Football League and its member clubs we are delighted to be receiving this award. With such a great deal of commitment and support from our community of member clubs we have come a long way in such a short space of time. However, this is just the start of our journey, one that we hope will lead to more success and fantastic football experiences for girls’ youth football and the female game."

Cllr Caroline Woodley, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure: "It’s brilliant to see the success of the new girl’s league at Hackney Marshes, which has been officially accredited by the FA after just one season. The accreditation is in no small part thanks to the dedication and support from our community of member clubs, who have come a long way in such a short space of time. However, this is just the start of the journey, one that we hope will lead to more success and fantastic experiences for girls who love football."

Paul Bickerton, London FA CEO, said: "Many congratulations to the Hackney Marshes Girls Football League for achieving the England Club Accreditation. This is worthy recognition of all the excellent work they do to support the development of grassroots football in the capital. The demand for Women & Girls football in London is huge but the real difficulty lies in matching this demand with high quality, competitive opportunities. The work of leagues such as the Hackney Marshes Girls Football League provides exactly the kind of high-quality environment that these players need."

Nathan Batchelor, FA National Grassroots Leagues Services Manager, commented: "It is testament to the commitment and progressive attitude of this league and its member clubs that the league is able to attain England Football Accredited League status. The league should be applauded for embracing this process and demonstrating that they are constantly striving to improve, for players, coaches, referees and clubs."

The dedicated and experienced committee plan to continue supporting their clubs to achieve England Football Accreditation. We are delighted to be able to recognise and reward the league for all the hard work that has gone into improving and growing the provisions available for girls and we look forward to working together in the years to come.

The England Football Accredited League is an accreditation that sets an operational benchmark for FA sanctioned leagues. This is awarded to leagues which can demonstrate their commitment to provide well organised football in safer, more inclusive environments.

To find out more about becoming an England Football Accredited League or Club, click here, or contact Niamh Coyle at Niamh.Coyle@LondonFA.com