EFDN welcomes Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation to the Network

EFDN welcomes Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation to the Network

Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation joins the European Football for Development Network. They are the charitable trust of English League One side Shrewsbury Town FC, which is operating in the third tier of English football. By becoming an EFDN member the Shropshire-based Foundation will be able to strengthen its programmes and delivery through shared best practise, the development of new partnerships and engaged individuals.

The Foundation has been utilising the power of sport to engage, support and inspire their local community since 1996. They aim to take Shrewsbury Town FC into the heart of the local community, empowering people to realise their potential and achieve their goals. To realise this they work according to the following values: Professional, Passionate, Inclusive, Proactive, Caring and Fun.

Through the delivery of over 42 life-changing programmes, Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation focuses on 4 main outcomes.

• Creating healthier and more active communities
• Improve Education and Employability opportunities
• Provide safe places and spaces
• Develop our club and inspire our supporters.

Out of all their programmes we selected a few to highlight the Foundations’ impact:

Military Hub

In early 2022 Shrewsbury Town Foundation launched their Military Hub; An initiative created to provide a network for military veterans in our local community.

Using their extensive experience providing social interaction and physical activity, they have created a safe space which will encourage social interaction, and physical activity and will remain a safe space for peer support to improve the health and wellbeing of ex-service personnel.

The Foundation want to encourage all members to stay physically active and so they will endeavour to provide exercise sessions and fun activities that are safe, appropriate and effective. These include bowls, yoga, seated exercises, circuits, walking football and many more. As well to exercise the STFC Foundation will also be opening up our Community Garden for the Military Hub to get involved.

Disability Sport Provision

The Disability Sports Provision is made up of a wide variety of sporting initiatives and programmes set to offer disability participants the opportunity to develop their functional skills, improve their coordination and get involved in sports in a fun, safe and supportive environment.

The following programmes are included:

• DCD Sessions (Development coordination disorder)
• Shrewsability
• Every Player counts
• Short Breaks.

Boosting Women & Girls Football

The Female Player pathway is a vital component of The Foundation’s vision. From the grassroots level to Premier Division, they are creating new and exciting opportunities for girls and women to get involved in the game and become true inspirations to the younger generation of female footballers.

“The women’s team have really felt the support from Shrewsbury Town Foundation and the Club this season. It has had a positive impact on the team with performances reflecting this. The players and I do our best to give back to Shrewsbury Town Foundation, this has involved attending their various projects and witnessing the positive impact they make. At the same time, it is great to promote the Women’s Team and be a role model for the younger generation of female footballers.” Vikki Owen, Shrewsbury Town Women’s Captain.

Sophie Eastwood, GADC Participant commented: “Being part of Shrewsbury Town Girls ADC is more than just playing football. Over the past three years as well as great coaching, I have had so many other experiences – from running on the pitch with the Men’s First Team during a league match to being a ball girl supporting the Women’s First Team players. Wearing the Shrewsbury Town football kit makes you feel really proud, but I think the moment I knew I wanted to take my football further was when we were allowed to play a match on the Shrewsbury Town main stadium pitch -walking out onto Montgomery Waters was one of the scariest but amazing things I had ever done. I am so happy to have got into Wolves RTC – thank you Shrewsbury Town for helping me to be the best I can”.

College & University

As an organisation that believes in the endless possibilities of sport, Shrewsbury Town College & University in partnership with SCL Education & University South Wales, offer a creative and inspiring learning pathway that encourages its students to realise their potential and achieve their goals.

The dedicated team aim to equip young people with the education, skills, values and knowledge to become active citizens in the wider society and play a positive role in shaping a modern, inclusive and vibrant sports industry.

The Foundation believes in supporting and recognising achievement as well as rising up to challenges, building resilience and promoting their students to be caring, motivated citizens who are committed to everything they undertake.

The connection with Shrewsbury Town Football Club allows the students to gain industry experience while studying industry-recognised qualifications, that will put them at the forefront of gaining employment in the future

Their alignment of Club and Community strategy, Facility development and strive for delivery excellence is what has helped them to deliver life-changing programmes since 1996.

Hubert Rovers, CEO of EFDN: “It’s always a pleasure to welcome a Foundation of an English League Club to the network as they play a pivotal role in their local Community. The Foundation of Shrewsbury Town FC shows already for over 25 years of dedication to CSR-related programmes and we are happy to share mutual best practices.”