BURTON Albion’s first team squad have welcomed community participants to St George’s Park to watch a training session
Burton Albion Community Trust organised the visit as part of the EFL’s Week of Action, which sees all 72 clubs and Club Community Organisations showcasing activity with EFL players and managers.
BACT invited participants from its Active Recovery programme, Alternative Education students and some special youngsters from the Trent & Dove Impact on the Community Awards to St George’s Park.
They were met by Brewers Hall of Famer Aaron Webster who answered questions and talked them through what they would see at the training session.
He said: “It’s brilliant in the EFL Week of Action to bring people to a first team training session and let them not only see what goes on behind the scenes but also get to chat and have pictures with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Dino Maamria and all the players.”
BACT’s Community and Partnerships Manager John Widdowson said: “We are really proud to be part of the EFL Week of Action. It’s an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the great work the community trust and club does using the power of sport and the brand of Burton Albion.
“We have been able today to bring some of our partners to St George’s Park and it gives the first team a chance to meet them and learn about the work that goes on.”
Club captain John Brayford said: “Community is so important to this football club and being able to meet these people, some of whom we see on the terraces at games and hear their stories is inspiring. And I know the players have really enjoyed the event.”
The Trent & Dove visitors were all being rewarded for their community efforts as part of the Impact Awards.
Seren-Grace Warner ran 55 miles to raise money for brain tumour care, Daisy and Florie Vinall have been raising awareness and collecting funds and goods for a food bank, and Paige Smith has done 2,000 burpees raising money for Bone Cancer UK.
Sarah Byrne, Trent & Dove Communications and Marketing Manager, said: “It’s wonderful for these youngsters to be rewarded by coming to St George’s Park and to be presented with a signed shirt by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
“Our awards are all about community impact and that’s what is being highlighted by the EFL Week of Action.”