Dale Support EFL Community Day Of Action...
More than one million people across the UK are now participating on football-led community programmes and activities every season.
EFL Clubs use the power of football to have a positive effect on people’s lives every day, helping participants to improve their lives with programmes focused on health and wellbeing, education, community outreach and much more.
On Tuesday 25 April, all 72 EFL clubs, including Rochdale, came together for the EFL’s Community Day of Action to highlight and showcase the impact of this work in towns and cities nationwide.
To mark the day, first-team player Mark Kitching spent the afternoon at the Soccer Factory with Dale in the Community’s ‘Get Set To Go’ football group.
The group meet twice a week, on a Tuesday and a Thursday, with training sessions delivered by the club's Community Trust team in partnership with Rochdale Mind. Rochdale Mind is a local charity which provides mental health services for the people living in Borough.
The sessions bring together people from across different age groups, and aim to help the players grow in confidence and self-esteem by participating in a sport they love and find enjoyable. The social aspect is also very rewarding, with the attendees forming strong friendships.
On Tuesday, Mark Kitching spent time learning about the sessions, before answering questions about his footballing career. He signed autographs for the Dale fans amongst the group and took part in a kickabout with the lads.
Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive, said: “EFL clubs play a pivotal role in their communities and what our inaugural Day of Action makes abundantly clear is how this work is having a significant impact, not just on match days but seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“The power of football continues to be used to improve people’s health and wellbeing and provide increased opportunities to develop individuals’ education and career prospects.
“Such important work should be commended and clearly illustrates how EFL clubs and their Trusts are contributing to society outside of the game, achieving tangible results and lasting change.”