Highlighting the work done in the local area
More than one million people are now participating in football-led community programmes and activities every season.
All 72 EFL clubs will come together today for the EFL’s Community Day of Action to highlight and showcase the impact of this work in towns and cities nationwide.
Pompey in the Community will be delivering a number of different sessions and initiatives throughout the city during the day.
They will be at a number of schools – with members of the playing squad – to deliver PE sessions, PPA cover, after school clubs and educational workshops in collaboration with South West Trains and Southern Water.
The community cohesion department are also running different activities, including a ‘Wheels for All’ session, amputee football training and inclusive football.
Pompey in the Community chief executive Clare Martin said: “These are just a few of the sessions we are running today. However, as a department we strive to work with as many members of our community as we can throughout the year.
“To have an official day dedicated to community work is absolutely fantastic. It gives us – and clubs up and down the country – the opportunity to demonstrate the good work that we do.”
Approximately £50 million is being invested every season by the EFL Trust and club Community Trusts into key areas, using the power of football to help people in need across sport, education, health and community engagement programmes.
The work is having a significant impact in communities up and down the country.
For example:
- Pompey’s crowdfunding campaign generated more than £100,000 to build a new community facility to increase the Trust’s capacity by 100 per cent
- For every £1 spent to deliver Millwall Community Trust’s programmes – more than £7 is generated in cost savings to society
- Wigan have helped to reduce anti-social behaviour by up to 50 per cent in selected communities by providing sports opportunities for 4,000 young people
- At Charlton Athletic the social value of the community trust’s mentoring programme is estimated at more than £2.3 million
- More than 1,000 young people have participated in NCS with Rotherham, improving their skillset, confidence and raising over £28,000
- Sheffield United have delivered the Kinder+Sport move and learn project to almost 2,000 children over 41 schools across the city
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “EFL clubs play a pivotal role in their communities and what our inaugural Day of Action makes abundantly clear is how this work is having a significant impact, not just on matchdays but seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“The power of football continues to be used to improve people’s health and wellbeing, and provide increased opportunities to develop individuals’ education and career prospects.
“Such important work should be commended and clearly illustrates how EFL clubs and their Trusts are contributing to society outside of the game, achieving tangible results and lasting change.”
Click here to find out more about the work Pompey in the Community do and the different opportunities in your area.