Community Catch Up: May
Welcome to Sheffield United Community Foundation’s monthly review!
Find out what’s been happening at the Foundation and what we’ve got coming up!
Tom Davies Named Foundation’s Player of the Year
It was our pleasure to announce Blades midfielder Tom Davies as Sheffield United Community Foundation Player of the Year!
Tom’s been a massive supporter of the Foundation all season, especially when it comes to our mental health and environmental projects. He’s always happy to get involved, speak up, and make a real difference off the pitch.
Huge thanks to Tom for his passion and commitment, it’s made a real impact. Congrats, Tom!
Elite Men Complete Historic Double with NFYL League Cup Final Victory
A massive congratulations to our Men’s Elite team who brought home the NFYL League Cup after a thrilling final at QPR’s MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium!
In a tense, nervy affair, the Blades found themselves 1-0 down at half-time. Fin Musson pulled United level with a stunning strike from outside the box to take the game to extra-time. The extra 30 minutes couldn’t produce a winner, which meant penalties. Goalkeeper Lewis Oxley dug out two massive saves before captain Jesse Omoregbee stepped up and cooly slotted home the winning penalty to give the Blades their first ever league double!
Congratulations to every player and staff member that put in such hard work and effort this season, it’s been the Foundation’s pleasure to see the College thrive across all of its teams.
Our Community College also took the honours in the annual Sheffield Varsity, defeating rivals Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, 8-2! Thanks to all students who took part, whether it was competing in an event or supporting your peers from the sidelines. It made for a great atmosphere and really helped spur on your fellow students!
Our thanks also go out to:
- English Institute of Sport Sheffield and Handsworth FC for their hospitality.
- Kitlocker for producing our amazing football kit for the event.
- All our education staff who helped coordinate the day’s festivities.
Louie’s Pace: A Warrior’s Tale
Nine-year-old Louie Wood from Barnsley has become an inspiring figure at our inclusive football sessions. Born prematurely at just 28 weeks and weighing 1lb 15oz, Louie lives with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and several complex needs. Despite his challenges, he has shown remarkable strength, defying expectations and thriving through sport.
For nearly three years, Louie has attended the Foundation’s Cerebral Palsy & Frame Football sessions, supported by partners like Cerebral Palsy Sport and funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund. These weekly sessions have had a massive impact on Louie’s physical health, communication, and confidence. His dad, Tom, shared: “Working with Sheffield United Community Foundation has been the best thing we’ve done for Louie. He absolutely loves it—he cheers the moment we pull into the car park. I honestly can’t praise the staff and programme enough.”
Louie’s family is currently fundraising for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery, which could significantly improve his mobility. Although he doesn’t qualify for NHS funding, they remain hopeful, raising funds for the operation, essential home adaptations, and rehabilitation. Despite setbacks, including Louie’s mum recovering from major surgery, the family is determined to give him the best possible future.
Read more about Louie here.
Amy Honoured at Rainbow Blades’ 5th Anniversary Ball
It was fantastic to see our very own Amy Hood (Empower Projects Coordinator) receive her induction in to Rainbow Blades’ Hall of Fame! Amy’s work with Sheffield United’s official LGBTQ+ and Allies Supporters Group has been nothing short of inspiring. Amy has been on hand to support them from the group’s inception and her impact has resulted in this very deserving and prestigious award. Congrats Amy!
Our congratulations also go out to Rainbow Blades as they celebrated their 5th Anniversary last week! The work James Laley and Rainbow Blades does continues to inspire and strengthen our Blades family.
Tom Talks Mental Health
Tom Fogg, leader of our mental health group Talk Club, recently sat down with the EFL to talk about how the weekly session encourages open conversations around men’s mental health.
Tom said: “We are a Talk and Listen group. The charity [Talk Club] themselves run slightly different groups as some include physical activity in the sessions, but we wanted to also attract people who may not necessarily be confident getting involved in sporting activities, for example if the individuals are slightly older or disabled.
“On average, I’d say there’s six to eight men who turn up roughly every week. We essentially just sit around a table and chat openly and honestly about our lives, we have a talking ball so if you have the ball, you’ve got the floor and you can speak. We don’t judge anyone, and everyone is free to speak about anything they want to – if it’s important to you, it’s important to us.”
Read more from Tom here.
Talk Club takes place every Wednesday, 6-8pm, at the Blades Family Hub on John Street (S2 4QX). All men are welcome to turn up on the night, no registration needed. For more information about the session please contact health@sufc-community.co.uk.
Arches Girls Week
We had an amazing time at Leisure United Thorncliffe for Arches SSP’s Arches Girls Week 2025!
Over 100 Year 3 & 4 girls gave football a go for the first time — and each one took home a brand-new football thanks to our fantastic partners at YPO.
⚔️ Our Youth Hub has recently teamed up with training provider WEA to offer free Digital Skills courses for young people! Over the past few months, learners have gained hands-on experience with laptops provided by our Community College. Sessions are held weekly at Bramall Lane and led by expert tutor Mark Turk. Confidence is growing, skills are developing, and feedback has been fantastic. More courses are on the way to boost employability and open new doors!
⚔️ Finally, congratulations to our Sheffield United Community College Squad of the Month for May and our Chesterfield Blades Student of the Term!
