A BURTON Albion Community Trust programme has been launched nationally by the EFL, following the success of the session at the Pirelli Stadium.
The formerly-named Golden Goal programme has now been re-branded as the Extra Time Hub, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst the over-50s.
And the EFL has recognised the work undertaken by Burton Albion Community Trust as an exemplar of good practice, whilst also providing funding alongside Sport England and 12 other EFL clubs' CCOs.
The launch of the Extra Time Hub featured an introduction from Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson, former player-manager Ian Storey-Moore and assistant manager Mick Hopkinson.
Chairman Ben Robinson said: “I’m delighted that the programme has been so successful that the EFL has recognised this as an exemplar of good practice.
“Golden Goal was formerly launched by BACT as an activity session for the members of our community who are aged 50 years and over, offering a mixture of physical activity as well as other social activities, such as, dominoes, cards or bingo.
“This re-launch as the Extra Time Hub, with the backing of the EFL and Sport England, recognises both the importance of the programme and its success for the Community Trust.
Lisa Beard, BACT Community Operations Manager, said: “It is so important for older people to be active in the community and to be able to socialise frequently with like-minded people.
“This session provides the opportunity for older people to take part in a range of activities, for example table-tennis, curling, stadium walks, fitness sessions whilst also offering support from a network of partners such as Age UK, St Giles, Trent & Dove and Everyone Health who BACT work closely with in our local community.”
Adrian Bradley, Head of Sport and Health at the EFL Trust was also complimentary about the programme that BACT has pioneered nationally.
“We were aware that Burton Albion Community Trust had been doing work like this for a number of years, and we wanted to build on that and take it to the next level.
“We are really keen that this project expands over the next three years and we really look forward to many more people being involved.”