The third European Week of Sport, which is being celebrated across the continent, began on 23 September, and Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) is supporting the EFL Trust in helping the UK lead from the front in encouraging people from all over Europe to #BeActive.
Sport can be emotionally uplifting and contributes significantly to a sense of togetherness and wellbeing.
Aiming to promote sport and physical activity across Europe, the overarching theme of the week remains #BeActive and is about encouraging everyone to be active during the week but also all year long, regardless of age, background, gender or ability.
With sports participation a core focus of the EFL Trust, EFL clubs up and down the country will continue their work in providing sporting opportunities for people of all ages and ability through the European Week of Sport, and throughout the year via their own community trust schemes.
From the Charlton Upbeats, the well-known Down’s syndrome football team, to pan-disability team Ability Counts and LGBTQI+ friendly team Charlton Invicta, CACT runs a wide range of competitive football sides.
And various sports form part of the organisation’s other strands, from activity sessions as part of CACT-delivered Young Greenwich youth services to coaching courses which form part of its education provision, walking football, and dance sessions, which is a feature of the health improvement programme.
Using the power of sport to make a difference to people’s lives, the EFL’s 72 trusts engage more than a million people in sports participation projects each year.
The Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) is supporting the week and as an official partner, the European Leagues will contribute to raising awareness of the initiatives and help share the key messages that sport not only provides many health benefits but can bring people together and positively contribute to society.
Led by the European Commission, organisations are inviting sports clubs, schools, community groups and individuals to get involved and promote sporting events and activities in their communities using #BeActive.
CACT is excited to be actively participating and supporting the European Week of Sport campaign again in 2017 and, with the help of the EFL Trust through a variety of programmes, will help promote the key messages and encourage all citizens to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle.
Sport can make a huge difference to people’s lives: a recent study independently verified by the University of Greenwich found that every £1 CACT invests in its work at the heart of the community is worth £6.89 in social value.