After wide consultation with fans, staff, partners and the Premier League, the decision was confirmed by the board of trustees in July 2018, meaning that the club’s registered charity would change from Wolves Community Trust to Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation began operation as Wolves in the Community in 1991 and moved to a registered charity in 2008 as Wolves Community Trust.
The original ‘Football in the Community’ schemes started as a PFA pilot in 1986 at six north west clubs to support local communities while providing employment for ex-players.
The schemes grew in popularity, as did their objectives, and are now firmly established as an essential component of the modern-day football club, identifying football’s contribution to social responsibility.
Their growth has been helped by widespread investment, predominantly from the Premier League, and the continuous development of operating standards driven through football authorities.
An example is Primary Stars, one of the Premier Leagues flagship initiatives, which in three years has impacted 15,442 schools, 5,211 of which are supported directly by professional clubs.
This initiative project has donated over 52,000 books, supported over 8,000 teachers and, in Wolverhampton, has generated a cumulative total 94,000 hours of contact time. Proof, if needed, that professional football has an impact like no other sport.
The vision is simple - for children, young people and adults within our community to be healthy, active, confident and able to determine and achieve their own aspirations.
The mission - to enhance people’s lives by using the unique strength of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club to engage, enable and empower people.
This work also forms part of the Fosun CSR network, supporting the owners’ desires to be a leading organisation for the development and delivery of Corporate Social Responsibility amongst its network of companies
Will Clowes, head of Foundation, said: “This change is designed to provide stronger identity for fans, supporters and partners with the club’s great image.
“We are a community focussed football club, delivering some innovative projects to improve the lives of local people and Wolves fans.
“This positive change will, I hope, encourage more people to become engaged and continue to build the sense of pride amongst our fans for the commitment and determination we have to make a difference at this club.”
Foundation Chairman and trustee, Laurie Dalrymple added: “I remember when I first arrived at the club being surprised by the scale and diversity of the charitable activities and reach.
“The change in name and brand will enhance its identity for all involved and, alongside significant additional investment from the Premier League, will encourage more people to get involved in the future.
“The Foundation has always, and will always, remain at the heart of what this football club does to engage its community both locally and further afield.”
Last season’s success include:
- Delivering over 30 unique projects of work.
- Engaging participants aged from 4-93.
- 94,000 contact hours in primary schools.
- Offering pathways into sport to over 500 participants with disabilities.
- Staff and volunteers gaining over 100 qualifications and accreditations.
- Delivering type 2 diabetes education programme to 184 people.
- Supporting 250 boys and girls making progressions in the Wolves Player Pathway.
Our Foundation uses the power of sport to motivate, educate and inspire people in our local communities to improve their life chances.
Fans can follow the foundation via the website wolves.co.uk/foundation and through social media:
- Twitter: @wwfcfoundation
- Facebook: @wwfcfoundation
- Instagram: @wwfcfoundation
