Swallows under-7s, red, take on Real 60 Picture: Peter Still

Swallows FC have been granted the FA Charter Standard Award.

The FA Charter Standard scheme is the best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League.

As a benchmark for quality, the award will improve the playing experience for all.

Swallows chairman Rob Phillips said: "This award displays the club’s commitment to grassroots football and it’s pleasing to see that the club’s hard work has been rewarded with such a prestigious award."

The Kent County FA have set an ambitions target for having 75 per cent of mini soccer and youth teams playing within a FA Charter Standard club by 2012. For more details on the Charter Standard scheme, email lee.suter@kentfa.com

On the field, Swallows under-7s, left in red, caught the eye on Sunday during their match with Real 60. Under FA rules, under-7s and under-8s are not allowed to record their results but we’ll still be following their progress thanks to our photographers throughout the season.