I have had the pleasure of visiting the Walsall FC Foundation on a number of occasions during the course of my Shrieval year. The Foundation was formed in 1989 as the registered charity of Walsall Football Club and from the outset, it had a clear vision which remains to this day:
“To use the vehicle of sport and physical activity to make a positive difference to the lives of people within the Walsall community.”
It operates in four key areas being:
Education – working together to make a positive impact on individuals and the wider communities to enable people to achieve their goals and progression in life, working in partnership with local educational establishments.
Sports Participation – aiming to inspire and raise aspirations of local people to engage in sporting activities centered on football as the core sport.
Engagement – delivering a wide range of innovative, quality programmes that engage people through football and sport.
Health – enabling introductions to healthy lifestyles, continued participation in healthy activities and supporting residents to create a more active and healthier way of life.
I have been hugely impressed by the range of activities being undertaken by the Foundation and the difference it is making to the lives of many disadvantaged people in the Borough of Walsall and accordingly I was delighted to present a High Sheriff’s Award in recognition of this work.