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TRUST MAKE LONGLIST OF MORE THAN FOOTBALL AWARD
Saints in the Community are delighted to announce our Saints Academy INclusion Through Sports (SAINTS) project has been selected for the EFDN More than Football Award 2023 longlist!
The long awaited More than Football Award longlist was announced by the European Football for Development Network (EFDN) yesterday which saw the Community Trust’s Saints Academy INclusion Through Sport (SAINTS) project nominated alongside 9 other clubs and their respective projects being carried out throughout Europe.
The EFDN unites European football and aims to gather professional football organisations together to utilise the power of football as a tool for social development. The More than Football Award presents an opportunity to showcase and honour the best Community and Social Responsibility projects currently being implemented by Clubs, Leagues, or FA throughout Europe. This year’s award provides the winner with not only the recognition of providing the most innovative and impactful Community project throughout Europe but also provides a club branded mini pitch for use throughout the Community.
SAINTS is a project which has grown over a 12-year period. Initially starting as a Mental Health & Wellbeing Football support provision, the project has developed to include support for adults with learning disabilities and students with additional support needs and was awarded the Scottish FA’s Best Para-Football Project in 2021. Since then, the project has expanded to support children & young people with Autism and children & young people with ADHD by offering a variety of sporting activities alongside working with a range of local organisations to create a pathway to participation for the target groups.
The shortlist of four organisations will be announced on 11th of September 2023 with the applicants selected for the shortlist being invited to make a 15-minute presentation of their project at the 20th EFDN ‘Making Football Matter’ Conference which will be organised in Athens, Greece, from 13th to 15th November 2023. The winner will be announced during the More than Football Award 2023 Gala on Tuesday, November 14th.
Keep your fingers crossed for us!