CARDIFF CITY ACHIEVES THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE FAMILY EXCELLENCE AWARD

Cardiff City FC has been awarded ‘The Football League Family Excellence Award’ for the 2015/16 season.

Created in 2007, the Award recognises the outstanding experience provided by clubs for young fans and families as part of a scheme that won the Gold Award at the European Professional Football Leagues’ Best Practice Awards.

A total of 44 clubs from across all three divisions of The Football League have been given the Award for 2016, with a significant increase in the benchmark standard being applied by the judging panel.  More than ever this year, Football League clubs are providing families with engaging family areas and offering innovative matchday entertainment that delivers a money can’t buy experience for young fans.

With an increase in the number of juniors and families now attending matches around the country this is both testament to clubs’ work to attract them, and an indication of the challenge and importance of retaining them for generations to come.

In achieving the award Cardiff City has been recognised as offering superb entertainment for families at Cardiff City Stadium throughout the 2015/16 season, engaging with young fans and families through such initiatives as the #CityAsOne campaign, Foundation Day, School Ticket League and the club’s family stand match-day activation.

Cardiff City is proud to have achieved the Family Excellence Award this season, and Executive Director & CEO Ken Choo was keen to stress the importance of ensuring the club engages with the next generation of supporters.

"Naturally we're delighted to be recognised by the Football League in this respect, especially in light of the efforts the staff at Cardiff City FC put into the match-day experience and ensuring that high standards for families are set,” said Ken.

"We've seen great strides made this season through our fan engagement strategy, and that hard work and commitment to supporters will continue into the 2016/17 season and beyond."

In announcing the successful clubs, Football League Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “The Football League Family Excellence Award continues to provide Clubs with a standard to aspire to. The objective of the Award is to recognise those Clubs who have successfully attracted more families and young fans to matches.

“Innovation is at the heart of Clubs’ success and our partnership with both Channel 5 & Nickelodeon (Nick Kicks) is part of our central contribution in supporting Clubs’ work in this important area by increasing the profile of our games among the next generation of fans.”

Six clubs have secured the Award in every year they have been eligible to receive it - Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town and Milton Keynes Dons, Cardiff City and Reading. Wigan Athletic has been awarded the accolade for the first time.

The Award recipients are decided by an independent assessment using real families that has been commissioned by The Football League, at all 72 League clubs, during the 2015/16 season.



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