Preston North End and the club’s Community and Education Trust [PNECET] are finalists in four categories at this evening’s North West Football Awards.
Championship Player of the Year – Freddie Woodman
Community Club of the Season
Community Initiative of the Season – Headstart
Kick It Out Promoting Inclusion Award
Freddie Woodman, who won the club’s Player of the Year award at the end of the last campaign, is up against Blackburn Rovers’ Dominic Hyam and Burnley’s Josh Cullen for the accolade of Championship Player of the Season.
Meanwhile, PNECET is once again being recognised for the life-changing work which it does in our city by being named finalists in three categories.
They are one of six Trusts associated with clubs playing below the Premier League nominated for the Community Club of the Season award.
PNECET has grown to 40 full-time members of staff and for the second year running invested over £1m into the Preston community through the delivery of its programmes.
Throughout the year, PNECET has made significant strides in addressing the ongoing cost of living crisis, supporting those most in need and/or vulnerable, delivering more provision than ever before, free of charge with a participant-centred approach.
Key accomplishments include an overseas volunteering programme in Zanzibar, a Christmas Toy Appeal for children living in deprivation, Ministerial and Royal visits, and increasing participation in rugby league by 100% across the city.
One programme in particular – Headstart – has a chance of being named Community Initiative of the Year.
Headstart supports the mental health of Year 6 children who are transitioning into secondary school, with the aim to reduce the strain on the NHS by targeting children currently accessing, or at risk of needing to access children’s mental health services.
Finally, PNECET is once again a finalist in the Kick It Out Promoting Inclusion award for its work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across all of its provision.
For example, the Ramadan roadshow – which was named as the EFL’s Community Project of the Season – saw PNECET deliver over 3,000 meals and raise over £8,000 for those most in need, while inviting 350 Muslims to break their fast at Deepdale.
All of the work undertaken in this area has been done to break down barriers and promote community cohesion within the city of Preston, whilst continuously increasing the club’s fan base.
All of the winners will be confirmed at the award ceremony taking place in Manchester on Monday 6th November.