Bristol Rovers Community Trust announce new player ambassadors

Bristol Rovers Community Trust are delighted to announce their player ambassadors for the 2023/24 season. John Marquis, James Belshaw, Sam Finley, and Grant Ward have dedicated themselves to working across the four quarters of impact at the Community Trust: Education, Health, Inclusion, and Sports. Each players brings their own unique experiences and passion to their respective roles, demonstrating that their commitment to the club and community extends far beyond the pitch.

John Marquis, who will be serving as the ambassador for Education, expressed his pride and enthusiasm for the opportunity, saying, "I am very proud to announce that I will be working alongside Adam and the rest of the Bristol Rovers Community Trust as the education ambassador. I look forward to helping and supporting an already very successful project, adding my own experiences and value to a very important element of our community." Bristol Rovers Community College is an integral part of the Community Trust and John will be offering his support to our students during the academic year.

James Belshaw will continue his vital role of Health ambassador. He passionately believes in the significance of physical and mental well-being in our daily lives. Belshaw emphasized the importance of this aspect, stating, "Maintaining good health, both physical and mental, is so important in everyday life. It requires daily focus and commitment to ensure that you remain in the best possible state of well-being. Using my platform as a Bristol Rovers player, I want to help as many people as possible with their mental and physical well-being. If I can help one person on their health journey, then it’s all been worth it. We’re all in this together." His commitment to community health initiatives has already been recognised when we became our PFA Community Champion over the last two seasons.

Grant Ward is spearheading the Inclusion sector, recognizing the power of unity and acceptance in the community. He passionately believes that "Inclusion is very important in bringing the community together. Nobody should be left out due to their race, age, and disabilities." Ward's mission is to offer a sense of belonging and understanding among all members of the community, ensuring that no one is left behind. Our Premier League Kicks project will be the perfect platform for Grant to support our participants.

Lastly, Sam Finley is the Sports ambassador, and he is eager to inspire the future generation of athletes. He stated, "I’m really happy to be the sports ambassador, and I’m really looking forward to helping out within our community. I hope that I’m able to inspire the next generation into various sports." His dedication to promoting sports and physical activity among the youth is a testament to the Community Trust’s commitment to nurturing and promoting active, healthy lifestyles.

Community Trust CEO, Adam Tutton added “As the CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, I'm incredibly proud of our partnership with these players. Their dedication to our community and the values they bring to our initiatives are a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved through the power of football. Together, we look forward to creating a stronger, more inclusive, and vibrant community, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."