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September 27, 2024

EFL Highlights Local Community Heroes – EFL CHAMPIONSHIP

From Friday, January 12, to Saturday, January 20, the EFL, EFL Trust, and all 72 EFL Clubs will come together to celebrate local community heroes through the inaugural EFL Community Weekends, a powerful initiative that is set to inspire and motivate us all.

During this special week, clubs, managers, and players will recognize the remarkable contributions of community staff and volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year. Players will also visit community programs and engage in engaging matchday activities to honor participants.

As part of these matchday events, fans can hear inspiring stories from individuals whose lives have been transformed or saved through their club’s community initiatives. Attendees will also learn more about the various projects available and how they can get involved.

Throughout the week, we will shine a spotlight on a diverse range of community heroes and their impactful projects, showcasing the breadth of the EFL Clubs’ impact.

• Lauren, Colchester United’s community champion, has recently been re-diagnosed with a brain tumor and is documenting her journey to raise awareness for other young people facing similar challenges, a story that will surely resonate with many of us.
• Through this funded program, Hull City’s Street Soccer Academy volunteers work with local youth to build confidence and life skills, showcasing the diverse range of initiatives that make our communities more robust and inclusive.
• Ipswich Town’s ‘Senior Blues’ initiative brings together program leaders and participants to create an inclusive environment that combats loneliness and encourages active lifestyles.
• Kai and his mother, Becca, are members of Cambridge United’s autism football project. The club has honored them with the Inspirational Family Award.
• Alan Higgins from Derby County has long supported community sports at Oakwood, providing transport and subsidizing fees for local children to participate in football.
• Yakub Mohammed, a member of Swindon Town FC’s Refugee football squad, has been involved since its launch in 2022.
• Rotherham’s community heroes will be recognized in the Club’s Corporate Hospitality Lounge for their ongoing contributions to the local Community. These include Jon Carnforth, who was recently honored with an MBE in the King’s Honours list for his service during the pandemic.

Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, said: “Community remains a fundamental part of the EFL and its 72 Clubs’ identity, so we are delighted to launch the latest strand of activity in this area – the EFL Community Weekends. The work undertaken by Clubs has a hugely positive impact on the participants of the various programmes and the towns and cities where people live.  “

“Football continues to reach parts of local areas that others simply cannot and successfully addresses challenges linked to health, wellbeing, education and employment alongside helping to keep communities connected. We look forward to celebrating this incredible work in front of match-going fans over the coming two weekends across our network.”  

Liam Scully, Chair of the EFL Trust, said: “Our Clubs and Club Community Organisations engage more than 840,000 people from EFL communities all year round. To be able to showcase the Club community work as a collective and acknowledge the work of participants and program leaders, many of whom are volunteers, further highlights the unique ability of our network.” 

The EFL Community Weekends continue the successful EFL Week of Action held in November, during which the League and its Clubs highlighted the substantial influence of their community initiatives on towns and cities across England and Wales. According to the latest community impact report, this work is valued at over £865 million per season.

In the 2021/22 season, EFL Clubs mobilized a workforce of nearly 10,000 individuals, including over 4,000 volunteers, to support community activities. They provided in-kind support worth more than £40 million. They contributed over 120,000 hours of free or subsidized use of community facilities, significantly benefiting the local communities they serve.

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