Sky Blues in the Community presented long serving employee Shaun Pierce with the Premier League's Community Captain award last week.
Dave Busst, Head of Sky Blues in the Community, and Manager Mark Robins were on hand to present Shaun with the award, which is presented by the Premier League to all Community Trusts that they work on projects with. Shaun's family were also guests on his special night.
For over two and a half decades, Sky Blues in the Community has been fortunate to have a true community champion in Shaun Pierce. As we reflect on his remarkable 27 years of dedicated service, it becomes evident that he has not just been a supporter; he has been the heartbeat of our charitable endeavours.
Shaun's journey began back in 1996 as a CCFC fan. Shaun wrote to the club about a possible work placement and came in for 2 weeks when he was in year 10 at school. Shaun really enjoyed his work placement and was delighted to be offered a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) apprenticeship when he left school - which he of course was happy to accept.
Since then, he has become synonymous with our commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Through the highs and lows of the football seasons and the challenging pandemic, Shuan has remained unwavering in his dedication to using the sport as a catalyst for positive change. He has now progressed right the way through to Football Development Manager at Sky Blues in the Community.
One of Shaun’s first major projects within the community was a Premier League Funded project - PL4Sport. He helped run and set up this pilot across Primary Schools in Coventry as the Schools Manager - this led to what we now call Premier League Primary Stars. He also helped with the setup of various Premier League Kicks programmes and our Premier League Girls projects.
One of Shaun's most notable contributions has been his instrumental role in setting up our SBitC Player Development Centre back in 2010. He took this from zero teams to now in 2024 managing over 35 teams with over 600 players. With Shaun's dedication and guidance in this initiative, it has grown into a pillar of support across the community. Whether it's organising charity events, spearheading community outreach programmes or mobilising volunteers - Shaun has been the driving force behind the success of these endeavours.
Beyond the official roles, Shaun has created a sense of family within the charity. He has fostered a community spirit that extends beyond the football field, creating bonds that transcend the sport itself. His ability to inspire and motivate others has resulted in a network of volunteers and supporters who share his and the charities passion for #MakingADifference.
The impact of Shaun's service goes far beyond the numbers; it is deeply rooted in the countless lives he has touched. Whether it's a child inspired to pursue their dreams, a family given hope during challenging times, or a community brought together through the love of football, his influence is immeasurable.
As we celebrate 27 years of Shaun's remarkable service, we are thankful for his unwavering commitment, selflessness, and passion.
He is not just a community champion. He is the heartbeat of our charity, a living testament to the transformative power of sports in creating a positive impact.
Here's to many more years of inspiration, service, and community building with our beloved Community Captain!