BURTON Albion FC has come together with all EFL clubs to highlight the positive impact football has in changing people’s lives and the work taking place to tackle some of society’s biggest issues.
Across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two, events will be held by clubs on EFL Day of Action to showcase the very best programmes and activity they deliver in a number of important areas, including diversity and inclusion, education, and health and wellbeing.
The impact of the work carried out by EFL clubs and Club Community Organisations (CCOs) is unparalleled, with more than half a million hours of group activity delivered and over 40 million hours of participation each season.
During the 2018/19 season, almost 900,000 people took part in a wide range of activities across key areas, with clubs and CCOs receiving over £60 million of direct project funding.
The EFL Day of Action aims to unite clubs and CCOs on one day to celebrate and highlight the impact they have in their communities, bringing together the most unique projects and programmes being run across England and Wales.
Managers and players from the EFL’s clubs have been attending events up and down the country to see participants in action and to provide their support to various projects.
At St George’s Park, Burton Albion Community Trust were able to give a group of young people the opportunity to meet Nigel Clough and the Brewers first team and watch a training session
A group of students from BACT’S Alternative Education spent the morning with the BAFC first team, as did a group from John Taylor Free School, who were attending as a reward for their work in school.
This evening the Brewers are at home to Bolton, one of five EFL fixtures which will also take place on EFL Day of Action, with clubs further supporting the day with warm-up t-shirts and in-stadium assets.
Matt Hancock, BACT Head of Community, said: “Making a difference out there in the community is something the club and trust does every day of the year but EFL Day of Action gives us the opportunity to showcase all of that alongside all the other clubs.
“Being able to take a group up to training was a brilliant opportunity and shows the special bond we have here at Burton Albion with everyone connected with the football club.”
EFL Chairman Rick Parry said: “Our clubs have always had a unique position in the heart of their respective towns and cities and it is important that we celebrate the work they carry out, which improves lives and tackles some of society’s biggest issues on a daily basis.
“The recent study commissioned by the EFL shows that clubs’ work in their communities is happening on a huge scale and starts to place a real value on this work, providing further insight into the impact of programmes provided.
“The hours committed by staff and volunteers at clubs and CCOs, as well as the support from players and managers, demonstrates a remarkable commitment to improving lives up and down the country.”