Last updated 19:45, Thursday, 10 July 2008

A JUNIOR soccer team in Maryport is run so well that it could become the nation’s best.

TOP TEAM: Netherhall U16 football team

Last month Netherhall U16 was named Cumberland FA's Charter Standard Club of the Year.

It has now won the North East region - which includes Cumberland - and is through to the national finals.

The Charter Standard is a best practice guide on how clubs should develop, safeguard children, improving behaviour and create opportunities for everyone to play football.

Charter Standard clubs must have a qualified coach, a welfare officer, screening policies for volunteers, signed codes of conduct, and an anti discrimination policy.

Netherhall U16 was formed a little over a year ago by parents Carole Beattie and Eileen Telford as there wasn’t an U16 side in Maryport for their growing sons to move on to form lower age group clubs.

The side plays in the U16 league of West Cumbria Youth Football and in their first full season came fourth.