The Wait is Over! More than Football Award 2024 Shortlist Revealed!

The Wait is Over! More than Football Award 2024 Shortlist Revealed!

The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) is proud to present the four clubs and their respective projects that have been shortlisted for the More than Football Award 2024. Waterford FC, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Bristol City Robins Foundation, and Foundation 92 have made it to the ‘final four’. The winner will not only receive recognition for implementing the most innovative and impactful Community and Social Responsibility programme in European football but will also win a fully branded Mini-Pitch System modular sports solution, developed in partnership between the winning organisation, EFDN, and sponsor Musco Lighting.

These are the four shortlisted clubs!

Foundation 92 (Salford City FC) – Mental Health Transformation

With the rise in mental health struggles among primary and secondary-aged children, Foundation 92 has partnered with the EFLT and local authorities to create and implement mental health support programmes targeting young people most at risk in Salford and Greater Manchester.

This programme engages young people through school-based educational workshops, both one-to-one and in groups, helping them understand their emotions and develop long-term coping mechanisms. The initiative directly supports vulnerable young people, aiming to improve their mental health and overall wellbeing.

• Support young people to better understand their mental health
• Support the mental health of Year 6 children transitioning into secondary school
• Reduce the strain on the NHS by targeting children currently accessing or at risk of needing to access children’s mental health services
• Provide young people with the knowledge and tools to deal with day-to-day life and overcome their mental health barriers

Waterford FC – “Autism Football Community – The Autism Friendly Football Club”

Waterford Football Club was approached in 2024 to explore whether the club could play a role in the city of Waterford becoming Ireland’s FIRST autism-friendly city. In response, the club’s Head of Community, Colin Power, reached out to several community groups locally involved in supporting families of children with autism. Colin and the club’s vision was to utilise the football matches at their stadium to engage and inspire children with autism to become interested in and participate in football. The resulting project, Autism Football Community, has had an incredible impact on the lives of the children and their families, many of whom had never previously attended a football match.

• Create an inclusive and supportive environment at professional football matches for children and young people with autism and their families, ensuring a welcoming and comfortable experience at the stadium.
• Facilitate regular participation in football for children and young people with autism in a safe and secure setting, supported by club volunteer ambassadors who have practical knowledge and understanding of autism.
• Contribute to Waterford’s goal of becoming Ireland’s first Autism Friendly city by establishing the football club as an autism friendly organisation.

Bristol City Robins Foundation – ADD-Mentor

In its second year, ADD-Mentor has expanded since its inception. Starting with just Project Lead Jade working with six young people identified by the police for involvement in drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, and crime, the project has now positively impacted the lives of ten young people at risk of incarceration. An additional mentor, Sam, with lived experience of similar struggles, has joined the team, helping mentees navigate challenges and move towards positive life choices.

The programme focuses on creating positive relationships between the mentors and the young people, with mentors guiding them away from negative influences. In its first year, the programme saw a 100% reduction in anti-social behaviour among participants, and resources have been allocated to also support the parents of these young individuals, helping them develop life skills and purpose.

• Reduction in criminal offending and absconding
• Increased confidence
• Improved relationship building
• Increased physical activity
• Creating a vocation focus
• Improved educational attainment
• Improved social-emotional functioning
• Development of pride in themselves
• Positive outlook for the future

Aberdeen FC Community Trust – Dons Families Together

Aberdeen FC Community Trust launched Dons Families Together in November 2023. It is a health and wellbeing project for parents and children, helping them make positive life choices. The sessions include physical activity and nutritional advice, while working with local partners to offer employability, financial, and stress management support. Furthermore, the programme encourages families to participate in activities together, spending important quality time as a unit.

• Support to address challenges brought on by living in poverty
• Greater support network
• Increased confidence
• Improved mental wellbeing
• Increased physical activity

Previous More than Football Award winners:

2019: Shakhtar Social: “Come On, Let’s Play” project.

2020: Club Brugge Foundation: ‘The Bear and his Scarf’.

2021: Big Hearts Community Trust: ‘The Big Hearts Supporters’ Movement’.

2022: Northampton Town FC Community Trust: ‘Tackling Loneliness’

2023: Fundacja Legii of Legia Warsaw: #ReadyToHelp Refugees from Ukraine

The applicants selected for the shortlist are invited to make a 15-minute presentation of their project at the 22nd EFDN #MoreThanFootballAward Conference organised in Leuven, Belgium, on the 20th of November 2024. The attending EFDN members will choose the winning organisation. The winner will be announced during the More Than Football Award 2024 on Wednesday, November 20th and receive a fully branded Musco Lighting Mini-Pitch for its community activities.

The full conference program here