Coventry City

Coventry City have been awarded the EFL Family Excellence Award status for the 2017/18 season!

A total of 56 EFL clubs - including the Sky Blues - have achieved Family Excellence status from the EFL, for exemplary work in engaging families on match days.

Having not been awarded the status in 2016/17, the team at Coventry City have worked hard over the past 12 months to successfully regain the status.

The record breaking number of clubs to achieve the Award, up from 53 clubs in 2016/17, recognises continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues and supports Clubs' efforts to attract and retain young fans of the future.

EFL Clubs received two ‘mystery family’ visits throughout the season, with their feedback and reports determining whether each respective Club would achieve ‘Family Excellence’ status. Now in its 11^th year, the Family Excellence Scheme is an ongoing consultation programme which aims to drive continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues and support clubs’ efforts to attract and retain young fans of the future.

At Coventry City, Junior Sky Blues aged under 13 can get a free Season Ticket or Match Ticket, while the Family Zone volunteers have gone the extra mile as always to provide a range of activities old and new for youngsters and their families pre-match, with record visitors.

Sky Blue Sam is a regular presence around the Ricoh Arena, while there are regular activities provided by Sky Blues in the Community for youngsters and much more that all helped the Sky Blues achieve the award. This year also saw the first Community Day, where over 14,000 tickets were given to schools in Coventry for free.

The club was assessed by a real family visiting a game for the first time, with aspects such as pre-match information, staff engagement, ticket buying, refreshments, activities and aspects inside the stadium such as toilets, matchday programme and stewarding all under scrutiny.

Coventry City’s Chief Executive Dave Boddy, commented: "We are all delighted to have achieved the Family Excellence status for this season.

“Much praise has to go the staff at the club for their work to make the matchday experience for families an excellent one, and of course the volunteers who give up their time to run the hugely successful Family Zone.

"This has been an extremely positive year in terms of the family experience, and we are getting very good feedback from our supporters along with this report. The Community Day was a big success, including the pre-match Fan Zone, and we look forward to holding another one next season.

“We will work hard to continue to improve the matchday experience for all fans, including families, so that will once again win the Family Excellence Award.”

EFL chief executive, Shaun Harvey, said: "It is hugely encouraging to see the continuous development and improvement made by EFL clubs in offering engaging match day experiences for families. For over a decade the EFL's Family Excellence Scheme has helped to produce positive and impactful change across the leagues, helping to drive a real focus on match day entertainment, facilities and the overall experience on offer for families, and ultimately to assist in growing attendances.

"Its impact continues to be notable with several clubs gaining strong industry-wide reputations for offering true family value and a consistently high level of service and innovation.

"The EFL will continue to work with clubs to help drive change and support the continued effort to attract and retain future generations of supporters. Congratulations to the clubs that have achieved Family Excellence status."

A full list of EFL clubs to receive Family Excellence status: