This week has been the EFL's annual Week of Action where all 72 member clubs unite to highlight the impact they have on their communities as a collective.
EFL clubs support hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people all year round, with the demand continuing to rise from challenges including the current cost of living crisis. As evidenced in the EFL’s most recent community impact report, more than 840,000 participants engaged in EFL club community activities over almost 580,000 hours during across the season. In the same period EFL clubs delivered over £865m worth of social value to towns and cities across the country and generated more than £101m for community investment.
Jack Armer, Gabe Breeze, Taylor Charters and Owen Moxon went along to the CUFC CST Walking Football session on Tuesday afternoon to chat to the participants before watching some very competitive matches (which also included some running!).
Manager Paul Simpson went to speak to he CUFC CST Level 3 BTEC in Sports Coaching students on Thursday morning for a Q&A session.
There was a range of questions about the best way to become a coach, how the Wembley penalty takers were chosen and also where Paul most likes to eat!
Community Sports Trust Manager James Tose said: "It was great to see Paul and the players at our activities this week. The participants always appreciate them taking time to come along to our events and the lads had a bit of banter with the Walking Football group which went down well.
"Simmo always says how important the community is to this football club and he was happy to come along to see the Sports Coaching group on Thursday morning even though it was a busy training day for him.
"It's important for us to be able to highlight the good work we do and the EFL Week of Action is always a great opportunity for us to do that."
Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, said: “The EFL is about two things – great football competitions and supporting communities 365 days a year – and our annual Week of Action highlights so clearly the strength and breadth of the community work clubs deliver.
“Every week players and managers across the League take time away from the training pitch to get actively involved in their clubs’ community work, acting as role models and inspiring the next generation. Through the Week of Action campaign, we’re able to give club community work the prolife it deserves, sharing the remarkable stories of those whose lives have been changed, and in some cases, saved through the work of their local club.”
Cathy Abraham, CEO of the EFL Trust, said: “We’re immensely proud of the ground-breaking work our clubs and Club Community Organisations provide, and the unique ability of the network are supported to deliver local impact on a national scale. The investment clubs make in their communities through these programmes is testament to the value they bring to people’s lives.”
