Rotherham United will be recognised in Parliament for their outstanding community work, having been named the Yorkshire & North East Checkatrade Community Club of the Year as part of the 2019 EFL Awards.
Following the exceptional work of Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, the Club will be joined alongside five other EFL regional winners at the House of Commons on Monday 4 March to receive their awards with EFL Interim Chair Debbie Jevans, EFL Chief Executive Officer Shaun Harvey and host Hayley McQueen all confirmed to attend.
The Millers will then be put forward alongside the five other regional winners for the 2019 Checkatrade Community Club of the Year Award, which will be announced at the EFL Awards on Sunday 7 April in central London.
Rotherham United impressed the judges with their response to their town’s priorities, focusing on anti-social behaviour, youth offending, health and community cohesion and integration. Rotherham’s ‘Building Stronger Communities’ project, funded by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), was viewed as stand out, and focuses on improving the lives of individuals in the community based around the themes of English language support and cohesion.
EFL Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said:
“Football Clubs play such an important part in communities up and down the country so it is essential we recognise their fantastic work.
“This is the third time we have held the Parliamentary event to recognise the Checkatrade Community Club of the Year regional winners and I am once again hugely impressed by the dedication and commitment shown by our Clubs in tackling some of the most challenging issues in society.
“They play an important role in dealing with issues such as homelessness, reducing crime and improving health and education. This life-changing work can make a significant difference to some of our most vulnerable people and is testament to the power of football as a force for good.”
Rotherham United’s Community Sport Trust Head of Community, Jamie Noble said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised as one of the top performing community clubs in the country. The relationship between the club and the community sports trust is one of understanding and support and both thrive to do the best for the communities we represent both on a local and national level.
“I would like to thank the judges and the staff from the central teams at the English football league and premier league for their continued support as well as the Chairman, Tony Stewart, and all the staff at RUFC who support the trust unconditionally.
“I would like to make a special mention to the Community Sport Trust Team who work so dedicatedly every single day to deliver high quality activities which make a difference to thousands of people in Rotherham and who make sure the strong partnerships we have vibrant and sustainable.”
There was more support for the work of the Community Sports Trust from key figures at the club following the recent news, with Chairman Tony Stewart and first team boss Paul Warne both placing their pleasure on record.
“We are incredibly proud of everything that Jamie and his team do for the football club and this latest award is a fitting tribute for the fantastic work they undertake in the local community,” the Chairman told enthused.
“We pride ourselves on ensuring that Rotherham United is accessible to everyone and our regular nominations for awards like this one reiterates our commitment to that.
“I would like to thank Jamie Noble and his staff for the countless hours that they commit throughout the community, where they have really made a difference to so many people over many years.
“We are simply delighted that all of their efforts have been recognised with yet another prestigious award.”
Those sentiments were echoed by boss Warne, who has reiterated the importance of his side’s impact in the local community since his appointment as first team manager.
“I have spoken many times about what a great group of lads we have here and I can assure you that they apply as much dedication to their work in the community as they do their football,” he explained.
“They really are a great group of human beings and it gives me great pride to see their smiling faces out meeting the supporters of the club and the rest of the wider community here in Rotherham. I have and always will encourage fans to speak to my players in public, they aren’t just good footballers, but thoroughly nice people too.
“Of course, this award wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Jamie Noble and his team, who work so hard in the area with individuals from all types of backgrounds.”
The EFL received strong submissions from a wide range of Clubs with the panel marking the applications on the range of projects delivered, their social impact and their showcase projects.
The six regional winners were selected by an independent judging panel including, The Times’ Chief Football Writer, Henry Winter; Clive Efford MP; Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at The PFA John Hudson; The Daily Mail’s Laura Lambert and the EFL Trust Director of Operations, Mike Evans.
For more information regarding the 2019 EFL Awards, visit: www.efl.com