A consortium of South Yorkshire football club community organisations (CCOs) has secured funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and the Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF) to help combat violence against women and girls, and reduce knife crime across the region.
The consortium comprises five CCOs: Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme, Sheffield United Community Foundation, Rotherham United Community Trust, Barnsley FC Community Trust, and Club Doncaster Foundation.
Thanks to the targeted funding, the clubs say they are now aiming to make a greater impact than ever before.
James Cooke, Head of Participation and Inclusion at Barnsley FC Community Trust, said: “This partnership is a powerful example of what can be achieved when football clubs come together for a greater cause. Tackling knife crime and violence against women and girls isn’t just a policing issue it’s a community issue, and we have a responsibility to be part of the solution. Through education, outreach, and positive role modelling, we can help create safer spaces and brighter futures for young people across South Yorkshire.”
Nick Gillott, Head of Community Programmes at Club Doncaster Foundation, said: “It's fantastic to be a part of the South Yorkshire partnership alongside the other football club charities, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the Premier League Charitable Fund. We'll be able to use the power of football, bringing communities together and using the combined strength of all five clubs to support young people, women and girls, at a time when it's never been more important. A huge thank you to SYMCA and the PLCF for providing the resources to help us continue to engage with more young people and make a lasting impact and positive change within South Yorkshire."
Dylan Hadley, Youth and Inclusion Manager at Rotherham United Community Trust, said: “We’re really proud to stand alongside our counterparts from Sheffield, Barnsley, and Doncaster in tackling these urgent issues across South Yorkshire. This partnership goes far beyond football – it’s about coming together for our communities and using our combined strength to support and empower young people, women, and girls. Thanks to the commitment of SYMCA and the Premier League Charitable Fund, we have a real opportunity to create lasting, positive change.”
Rob Jenkinson, Participation and Inclusion Manager at Sheffield United Community Foundation, said: “We’re proud to be part of this groundbreaking partnership alongside our fellow South Yorkshire football club charities, working together with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the Premier League Charitable Fund. This collaboration is a powerful example of what can be achieved when rival clubs unite for a common cause — supporting young people and addressing some of the most pressing challenges in our communities. With this vital funding, we’re now in a stronger position to expand our reach, engage more young people, and play an active role in tackling knife crime and violence against women and girls across South Yorkshire.”
Ben Winter, Deputy Head of Community at Sheffield Wednesday FC, said: “We are really excited to be part of this South Yorkshire partnership between the five football club charities, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, and the Premier League Charitable Fund. Our goal is to show the power of collaboration — breaking down club rivalries and uniting to support young people at a time when it’s never been more important. We’re extremely grateful to SYMCA and the PLCF for providing the resources that will enable us to engage with more young people and play our part in reducing knife crime and violence against women and girls.”
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