A Season Retrospective: Celebrating a Standout Year of Community Impact
- Marc Lewis
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
As the 2025/26 season has come to a close, Bristol Rovers Community Trust reflects on a year of significant growth, recognition, and measurable impact across Bristol.
This season has reinforced our commitment to using the power of football to address health inequalities, reduce isolation, and improve life opportunities through education, inclusion, and wellbeing programmes.
Operating in a challenging EFL landscape and a city facing deep health disparities, BRCT continues to deliver a commercially focused, partnership-led model that creates scalable, long-term social value.
Season Highlights & Recognition
This year saw BRCT expand its work significantly across health, education, and community engagement, supported by key partners including North Bristol NHS Trust.
A landmark two-year NHS collaboration delivered national recognition and high-impact interventions including CPR training, workforce health checks, screening programmes, and matchday health activations.
Innovative projects such as 5K Your Way, Rebound with Rovers, Extra-Time, and the Talk Club Cup helped reduce stigma, increase participation, and bring communities together.
Key overall impact:
130+ health sessions delivered
1,300+ participants engaged
610,000+ media views
7,000+ digital engagements
National coverage across BBC, ITV, Sky Sports & EFL
Adam Tutton, CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, said:
“To be recognised at EFL level reflects the dedication and innovation of our staff, partners, and community. We believe football can change lives, and this recognition highlights the real impact we are making across Bristol. From health and wellbeing to education and inclusion, we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved this season.”
Our Four Quarters of Impact:
Education & Pathways
This season has seen continued growth across our education programmes, providing young people with clear and supported routes into both further education and employment within sport. Our Post-16 BTEC programme supported 67 students across Year 1 and Year 2, while interest for the 2026/27 intake rose significantly to 125 applicants, reflecting the growing reputation of the provision. Alongside this, 24 students progressed through our BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Development degree in partnership with the University of South Wales, gaining valuable hands-on experience within a professional football environment. Together, these pathways continue to strengthen long-term opportunities for young people in our community.
Health & Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing remains a central focus of our work, with continued expansion of our partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust. Across the season, we delivered four major health campaigns, engaging over 7,800 supporters through matchday activations and providing more than 50 free health checks. Our programmes also supported early intervention and education, including CPR training for over 70 students and referrals for further medical support where needed.
Alongside this, our community wellbeing initiatives continued to grow. 5K Your Way brought people together through regular walking groups focused on mental health and connection, while Extra-Time provided weekly social sessions for older adults, helping to reduce loneliness and isolation. Rebound with Rovers continued to offer safe, structured football sessions combined with wellbeing support, and the Talk Club Cup once again demonstrated the power of football to open conversations around mental fitness, raising over £12,000 and welcoming thousands of participants.
Inclusion & Community
Our inclusion work has continued to ensure football is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or ability. Through Premier League Kicks, we delivered over 500 attendances across 88 sessions, with record engagement in both girls’ and disability-specific football provision. Our school-based work also remained a key priority, with over 450 children taking part in the EFL Joy of Moving programme across local schools, alongside targeted interventions supporting physical activity, learning, and confidence-building.
We also delivered a range of after-school and mentoring-based programmes, including Set-Piece, which supported children aged 8–11 with decision-making, confidence, and safety in partnership with local organisations. Across all activity, our focus has remained on creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people can develop both on and off the pitch.
Sport & Engagement
Our participation programmes continue to play an important role in connecting families and young people with the Club. During the school holidays, 680 children took part in our Holiday Fun Days, providing accessible and engaging football activities for ages 5–13. Matchday experiences also remained a highlight, with 164 mascots welcomed across 13 home fixtures, creating unforgettable moments for young supporters and strengthening their connection to Bristol Rovers.
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