CLUBS PROUD TO PLAY A PART
EFL unites on Day of Action
ALL 72 clubs are preparing to do their bit for the EFL’s Day of Action to demonstrate the positive impact football can have in changing young people’s lives.
On Tuesday, clubs across the three divisions will showcase the innovative and groundbreaking work they do for young people in tackling some of the biggest issues in society across education, health, community inclusion and participation.
Managers and players will be attending events up and down the country, including projects that target mental health, disability and obesity.
Millwall are running a mental health football tournament in memory of one of their players who recently died. More than 100 people are due to take part in the Dwain Inniss Cup with manager Neil Harris on hand to offer his support.
Brentford have lined up a number of activities, including one which will see first-team players help coach ten to 17year-olds.
Six first team players from
Bristol City will be seeing the innovative work of the club’s Youth Council, a group of young people that are making a big impact in their local area by shaping and delivering City’s community activities, including girls, disability and street football.
Appearance
Neighbours Bristol Rovers are inviting their 16-18 year old disability squad to join the first team for a training session led by manager Darrell Clarke, followed by lunch with the first team squad. Doncaster Rovers have committed to a whole day of activity, including a special appearance from midfielder Matty Blair, who has fronted the club’s efforts to raise awareness of mental health by drawing on his own personal expe-
riences after the loss of his brother Ross to cancer last August.
Derby County will be celebrating the success of their cancer recovery programme over the past 12 months, with appearances from former Birmingham striker Geoff Horsfield and Aston Villa midfielder Stylian Petrov, who themselves have been affected
by the disease. Cambridge United are set to showcase their Enterprise Project, an innovative new programme designed to help secondary school students develop their entrepreneurial and employability skills.
EFL chairman Ian Lenagan said: “Football continues to support its communities seven days a week, 365 days a year through our unique network of club community trusts.
“Bringing all 72 together on one day for the EFL Day of Action highlights the special role the EFL has in society and our collective ability to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of millions of people.
Innovative
“It is fantastic to see so many managers and players across England and Wales coming out in support of the excellent work being undertaken by their own clubs right in the heart of their own community.
“There are few sporting organisations that can deliver the scale of innovative and ground-breaking activity we do via our network of clubs across so many important areas, including inclusion, charitable causes, community engagement, education or health.”