The Football League Family Excellence Award winners have been announced for the 2015/16 season, with Notts being one of the recipients.
Created in 2007, the Award recognises the outstanding experience provided by clubs for young fans and families as part of a scheme that won the Gold Award at the European Professional Football Leagues’ Best Practice Awards.A total of 44 clubs from across all three divisions of The Football League have achieved the Award for 2016, with a significant increase in the benchmark standard being applied by the judging panel.
Matt Lawson, Community Officer and Dietician at Notts County Football Club said “This is a great award for us to receive at Notts. We are delighted that our work with Kick It Out, the Hospitals, Schools, young people and the local community is recognised in this way. We should also thank all staff given that the mystery visitors to the stadium found the personal service and friendly welcome we offer to be exemplary. This was seen from the main gate staff, to the club shop staff, to reception and suites right across all areas of the Club”.
Pictured above, Matt Lawson and Les Bradd give a ground tour to a group of Belgian tourists on the day of the receipt of the award, a typical example of the hard work behind the scenes to spread the name of Notts County far and wide.
More than ever this year, Football League clubs, including Notts County, are providing families with engaging and innovative matchday entertainment, including high levels of ticket booking assistance, extensive pre-match advice, guidance and materials, exciting entertainment both inside and outside the stadium, and money can’t buy experiences for young fans.
Many clubs are setting benchmark standards in providing such things as matchday menus for entertainment schedules and catering options, innovative locally-sourced refreshments, along with magic moments of interaction with club mascots, players and enthusiastic family-friendly staff within dedicated family zones.
The number of juniors and families attending matches around the country is increasing which is testament to work undertaken by clubs in this area. Recognising the importance of attracting and retaining fans for life, many clubs are rising to the challenge and helping develop a fanbase for the future.
In announcing the successful clubs, Football League Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “The Football League Family Excellence Award continues to provide clubs with a standard to aspire to. The objective of the Award is to recognise those clubs who have successfully attracted more families and young fans to matches.
“Innovation is at the heart of clubs’ success and the League’s partnerships with Channel 5 and Nickelodeon (via Nick Kicks) are part of an ongoing commitment to support clubs in this important area by increasing the profile of our games among the next generation of fans.”
The Award recipients are decided by an independent assessment using real families that has been commissioned by The Football League, at all 72 League clubs, during the 2015/16 season.