Owls midfielder Will Vaulks has scooped an unprecedented treble after being named the EFL Championship Player in the Community for the 2023/24 season.
Vaulks wins the award for the third time as he continues his outstanding commitment to community projects.
The EFL have announced the divisional winners of the EFL Community Awards 2024, celebrating the very best in club community work and recognising commitment, innovation and impact during the 2023/24 season.
Winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony taking place in the House of Commons, London.
An overall champion from each of the three categories will be revealed at the EFL Awards ceremony in London on 14 April.
EFL Player in the Community, sponsored by the PFA
As role models across the EFL, the 2024 winners of Player in the Community, sponsored by the PFA, are Vaulks in the Championship, Portsmouth’s Marlon Pack in League One and in League Two, Morecambe’s Farrend Rawson.
Championship: Will Vaulks, Sheffield Wednesday
Will Vaulks has won the award for his strong and supportive connection to the Club’s Community Programme work and his wider charitable commitments including the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and the role he played in executing The Baton of Hope relay for mental health awareness.
League One: Marlon Pack, Portsmouth
Marlon Pack has been recognised for his keenness to support the wider community of his boyhood Club, his commitment to fan engagement, coaching in the community (including supporting the Academy team in his spare time) and his dedication to one-on-one time with several fans in need of support and special treatment.
League Two: Farrend Rawson, Morecambe
Farrend Rawson is acknowledged for his ability to carry his influence on the pitch into his community work and spread his enthusiasm for the importance of player support into the first-team dressing room. Farrend has supported school projects, the Extra Time programme for the over 60s and at Christmas, organised players and staff donations to buy presents for children at a local hospital.
Situated at the heart of their communities, EFL Clubs have a unique ability to engage some of the most under-represented groups living in England and Wales, supporting people aged from one week old to 101. With almost 50 million people living within 15 miles of an EFL Club, as a collective they play a crucial role in positively influencing lives up and down the country with the variety of programmes delivered.
Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, said: “I’m honoured to be here at the Houses of Parliament today to celebrate the winners from this year’s EFL Community Awards. The real-life stories shared by participants from community programmes across the League is humbling and shows the breadth and depth of work delivered. This annual event presents a powerful reminder of the scale, reach and impact of club community work and its significance to the 72 towns and cities EFL clubs serve all year round.”
Congratulations Will and to all the divisional winners!
