Coventry City will be recognised in Parliament for their outstanding community work, having been named Midlands Checkatrade Community Club of the Year as part of the 2019 EFL Awards.
Following the exceptional work of Sky Blues in the Community, 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 Sky Blues 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.
SBitC impressed the judges with a record year for the number of people engaged in their community projects, growth in the Community team and their Turn2Us project, a school holiday programme which offers families with children, who receive free school meals during term times, the chance to maintain a healthy diet throughout the year.
Operating in an area of high deprivation, the Community team welcome children several days a week, providing meals, activities and workshops for their families.
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.”
Coventry City Head of Community, David Busst said: “On receiving news of our award I was honoured, overwhelmed and humbled that we had been chosen as regional winners for the Community Club of the Year.
"I am so proud of all the SBITC staff and volunteers whose continued hard work and passion to making a difference in the community we serve has been recognised.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our funders, partners and Coventry City Football Club, as without their continued support we would not be able to impact as much as we do locally.”
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 PF, 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