Community Player Ambassadors for the 2019/20 season have been selected!
Last season, Sky Blues in the Community saw the amount of hours Coventry City First Team players spent visiting projects, programmes and sessions across Coventry and Warwickshire increase to 629, from 540 the previous year! We are hoping that this increase will continue into the 2019/20 season and that players will take time out to support the work delivered by SBitC.
Each year, the community department select ambassadors who represent the values of the charity. These ambassadors will support, promote and symbolize the themes and activities of SBitC.
The 2019/20 Season’s ambassadors are: Matty Godden and Fankaty Dabo(Sport), Jordan Shipley (Player Development Centres), Dom Hym (Health and the Family Zone), Jordy Hiwula (Inclusion), Liam Kelly (Education).
Sport Ambassador, Matty Godden said: “To have been selected as a Sport Ambassador for Sky Blues in the Community is a great honour.
They do great work across all areas, but Sport and participation in sport is an area of particular interest to me. From their work in schools to holiday camps and other activities for a range of ages, they do excellent work and I am very happy to be supporting them in this way.”
Sport Ambassador, Fankaty Dabo said: “I am really pleased to be chosen as a Sport Ambassador. The Sky Blues in the Community team do a fantastic job in schools and with the Football Holiday Camps, engaging with youngsters and making sure they enjoy sport, keep active and make new friends.
PDC Ambassador, Jordan Shipley said: “After progressing along the player pathway myself, I think this position will be a great opportunity for me and I am delighted to be an Ambassador.
“I’m looking forward to supporting the development of young people in the SBitC Player Development Centres, as they begin their own careers and development as young footballers.
Inclusion Ambassador, Jordy Hiwula said: “I am delighted to be the Ambassador for the Sky Blues in the Community Inclusion programme.
“I have been lucky to see Sky Blues in the Community’s fantastic work at first hand, which aims to use the power of sport to motivate, educate and inspire people in our local communities to improve their life chances.
“As players we recognise our roles and responsibility to act as role models within the Community and I am very proud to be an Ambassador for this key area of their work.”
Education Ambassador, Liam Kelly said: “I’m very pleased to be the Sky Blues in the Community Education Ambassador. I am looking forward to supporting the Education work that Sky Blues in the Community deliver across a range of ages and areas, whether that is learning in schools or personal development in further or adult education.
“Access to learning opportunities is vital and with the Sky Blues in the Community education pathway, it is possible for anyone to take a new direction or add to their existing education.”
Health and Family Zone Ambassador, Dominic Hyam said:
“I am delighted to become the Health Ambassador for Sky Blues in the Community. I am looking forward to getting to see the excellent Health programme in action and visiting projects across Coventry and Warwickshire.
“From the ‘+Sport Move & Learn’ programme in Primary Schools to ‘Let’s Talk Sport’, the Mental Health programme addressing another vital issue, I am looking forward to displaying the importance of improving the health and wellbeing of local people via the power of football and Coventry City.
“I am also happy again to be the Family Zone ambassador. The team of volunteers in the Family Zone put in a huge amount of hard work and am looking forward to supporting the volunteers in providing a great experience for young supporters. Getting the families involved in fun activities before a home game helps provide a fun matchday for supporters, and the Family Zone does an incredible job.”
Tom Reeves – Premier League Sport Manager for Sky Blues in the Community said “It is great to have 2 sport ambassadors in Fankaty and Matty for this season. We do a significant amount of work in schools and during school holidays to encourage children to participate in sport and promote healthy, active lifestyles. We look forward to the lads support in our Premier League Primary Stars programme, school provisions and holiday camps over the course of this season”.
Craig White – Inclusion Manager at SBitC said “We are proud to have Jordy Hiwula as our Inclusion Ambassador. Jordy goes above and beyond supporting the Inclusion programmes. He spends a lot of time with the Community programme and has set his sights on helping in changing the lives of young people with the Community.
“There are lots that come under the umbrella of an ambassador and nothing is as important as helping inspire disadvantaged youngsters as well supporting the Sky Blues in The Community Scheme in creating pathways for the young people within the Community. We thank Jordy for all his help and support within the Community Scheme.”
Shaun Pierce – Football Development Manager at SBitC said “I have known Jordan for a number of years and it’s great to see how he has progressed from the Academy, to the U18 & 23’s to now being a first team regular. Whenever I speak to players on our current PDC pathway Jordan’s name always comes up as one of their favourite players and I think they really look up to him and can relate to him as a local lad himself who has broken into the first team. Jordan is the perfect role model who will always give up his time when possible for the local community. Whenever Jordan comes to one of our PDC events he will always take the time to speak to our players about his journey as well as offering his support and advice. I am delighted to have Jordan as our PDC Ambassador this season.”
Chloe Groves – Football Development Manager, Facilities & Education Manager at SBitC said "I am delighted to have Liam Kelly as the Ambassador for Education. Supporting young people in education is important to us and it is our goal to inspire learning and personal development to raise aspirations, attainment and achievement. We are really excited to have Liam supporting our Education programmes for this season."