Rob Jenkinson Named Community Captain
Sheffield United name Community Captain to help mark the Premier League’s 30th-anniversary celebrations
Rob Jenkinson, 29, of Sheffield, has been named as Sheffield United’s Community Captain in recognition of his incredible work in the local area.
The Community Captain accolade is being given to more than 100 members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to their club and local community, as part of the Premier League’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Presentations to the Captains form part of the Premier League Trophy Tour, which is visiting more than 50 professional, non-league and women’s clubs across England and Wales who receive funding from the Premier League.
Rob received the accolade at the Legends of the Lane exhibit at Bramall Lane. He was awarded a PL30 Community Captain armband and pennant. A plaque engraved with Rob’s name was also added to the Premier League Trophy plinth.
Sheffield United Women’s Player Nina Wilson, who presented Rob’s Community Captain award, said: “Rob’s done such an amazing job for the Club, the Community Foundation and the people of Sheffield. He’s very much a deserved Community Captain for Sheffield United.”
On receiving the accolade, Rob said: “I’m really touched. I’m really thankful to be involved in such an amazing Community Foundation and to be involved with such amazing partners like the Premier League. They’ve allowed us to do so much work and allowed me to find something I’m passionate about. I love helping people and without the Premier League we wouldn’t have been able to work with the amount of people across a variety of amazing programmes. I’m really appreciative of the opportunities the Premier League has provided for us.”
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “As we mark 30 years since the Premier League first kicked off, it is important we celebrate the unsung heroes who deliver brilliant work in their communities. These people – whether they are participants, coaches, volunteers or long-time employees – are the lifeblood of their clubs and their communities.
“The continued success of Premier League football enables us to provide unprecedented investment in communities and wider football. As we look to the future, we are committed to investing more than ever, to help develop the game and provide opportunities to people of all ages.”
The Foundation’s kids football sessions are supported with Premier League funding to run Premier League Kicks, a programme that Rob has helped run for over 10 years with the Foundation.
Across England and Wales, Premier League investment supports the community organisations of all 92 Premier League and English Football League clubs, plus the 68 National League clubs.
Over the next three years, the League will continue its world-leading levels of support by contributing £1.6 billion to communities and the wider game.
During the Trophy Tour, the League will be announcing new financial commitments to benefit fans and communities. This includes increased investment into the Premier League Fans’ Fund, with £5m available to support fan engagement projects across the top four divisions of the football pyramid. The League is also investing an additional £13.5 million into the Football Foundation to create small-sided pitches in the heart of communities that need them the most. The tour will also give an opportunity to highlight new Premier League investment into women’s and girls’ football, including the Emerging Talent Centres announced earlier this summer.
To find out more, please visit premierleague.com.