Last week, Geoff Stevens, from Bath City FC Foundation received the Vanarama Premier League‘s ‘Community Captain’ award in recognition of his inspiring work for the community of Bath. This is one of only ninety-two Community Captain awards given across the UK’s professional and semi-professional football club network. The award was co-presented by film director, Ken Loach, President of Bath City FC Foundation and Helen Donovan, Chair of Bath City FC Foundation on the pitch in Twerton during half time of the home match between Eastbourne Borough and Bath City FC on Saturday 7 January.
To celebrate thirty years of the Premier League, the Vanarama National League recently invited all participating football clubs to select a Community Captain and share stories of their extraordinary commitment to their club and community. Geoff Stevens has been working for the Foundation for four years with funding support from St John’s Foundation for his role. Geoff previously worked at Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Weston-Super-Mare AFC helping to deliver their community coaching programmes. Following his degree in Sports Science Geoff quickly developed a passion for coaching football and helping people to improve their lifestyle and choices through sport. This focus has continued throughout his career and his work at the Foundation makes an impact on Bath communities across all ages.
Currently working as the Operations Manager for Bath City FC Foundation, bathcityfoundation.org, Geoff has been the driving force behind the development of the charity and greatly increased its positive impact on the community of Bath. When he started at the Foundation in 2019 it provided one football training session per week and a handful of afterschool clubs, now the Foundation delivers twenty-eight sports activities each week and supports over 2,350 Bath residents a year ranging from 4 – 79 years of age.
The foundation has recently appointed James Carlin BEM to the position of Chief Executive. James has worked in the third sector for over 20 years including at UNICEF in London and most recently as Director of 3SG BaNES an independent network for third sector organisations in Bath and North-East Somerset.
Ken Loach, President of Bath City FC Foundation said: “Geoff has done brilliant work in increasing football training sessions for youngsters and sporting activities for all ages. This places Bath City at the heart of the community, just where a club owned by local people should be. No game brings people together like football and Geoff’s passion for it is the key to his success. Well done Geoff and thank you.”
Geoff Stevens, Operations Manager at Bath City FC Foundation said: “I am proud to have been nominated as the Community Captain at Bath City FC. Having been involved in Community work for over 20 years, I have seen at first hand the impact that we as a Foundation can make. I have been extremely privileged to work alongside some inspiring colleagues and it has been heart-warming to be able to make a difference to the lives of so many people, both younger and older. During my time at Bath City, it has been fulfilling to be involved in the growth and development of the Foundation and to oversee so many fantastic projects that have benefited people in our local community.”
Above: Carole Banwell, General Manager of Bath City Football Club, Ken Loach, President of Bath City FC Foundation, Helen Donovan, Chair of Bath City FC Foundation and Geoff Stevens, Operations Manager of Bath City FC Foundation receiving his Community Captain award in recognition of his achievements at the Foundation and to mark 30 years of the Premier League.
James Carlin, CEO at Bath City FC Foundation said: “I’m delighted for Geoff that he has received this nomination in recognition of his achievements in supporting the Bath community. We are all incredibly grateful to Geoff for his dedication and for making sport available to so many different local people and age groups. Thanks to his expertise and determination the Foundation now offers an outstanding programme of opportunities, not only through football and sport but also through wellbeing groups like Reconnecting Twerton.
It is an honour to be working for Bath City Foundation as their CEO as I’ve been a fan of Bath City FC since 1999 and been involved with the Club since 2016 and their Big Bath City Bid. I am looking forward to continuing the growth of the Foundation and working with partner organisations to embrace the tremendous community spirit in Twerton and celebrate the power of sport to help improve people’s lives for the better.”
Jane Jones, Community Director at Bath City FC said: “This award is well-deserved as Geoff’s input into Bath City FC Foundation has been outstanding. He has introduced a wide variety of sports projects to support adults and children across the Twerton community including Primary Stars, Man v Fat, Wildcats, Walking Football and other school and community-based programmes. As a result of Geoff’s hard work the Foundation is now in a strong position to expand its reach.
I’m also thrilled that James Carlin has joined the team as CEO to drive the Foundation’s strategy forward as he brings a wealth of third sector experience with him. As a community owned club, we’re proud of all the work that the Foundation does locally. It plays a key role in using community sport to improve the lives of people in Bath and I’m confident that James working closely with Geoff and his team will help the Foundation build on all it has achieved so far.”
To find out how to get involved with Bath City FC Foundation or join an activity visit bathcityfoundation.org or to donate to the Foundation visit justgiving.com/bathcityfcfoundation.
Featured image: Ken Loach, President of Bath City FC Foundation, Carole Banwell, General Manager of Bath City FC, Helen Donovan, Chair of Bath City FC Foundation, Geoff Stevens, Operations Manager of Bath City FC Foundation, Russell Tanner of Bath City FC Foundation and Jane Jones, Community Director at Bath City FC during the presentation of the Community Captain award to Geoff Stevens.