Sky Blues in the Community has named Craig White as their Premier League Community Captain in recognition of their commitment and contribution to the game and society.
Over the next two weeks, the Premier League and clubs will be celebrating ‘More Than A Game’ and highlighting the positive impact of Premier League investment into communities and clubs at every level of football.
The Premier League has invested £1.6 billion into wider football and communities between 2022 and 2025 to support football at every level of the game across England and Wales. This world-leading funding into clubs, communities and facilities positively impacts and inspires millions of people.
As part of ‘More Than A Game’, the League will be celebrating more than 100 Community Captains – individuals nominated by Premier League, EFL and National League clubs for their contribution to their local community via programmes funded by the Premier League.
Since Craig joined Sky Blues in the Community back in 2012, he has been a driving force behind our work to engage, inspire and support young people across our communities. Starting as our Inclusion Manager, Craig immediately brought passion, vision and unwavering dedication to ensuring that football could be a vehicle for positive change.
David Busst, Head of Community at Sky Blues in the Community, commented: “From the very beginning, he has overseen and managed our Premier League Kicks programme, helping it grow into a vital initiative that provides safe spaces, trusted mentors and meaningful opportunities for thousands of young people. Under Craig’s leadership, the programme has not only delivered high-quality sessions but has built lasting relationships, reduced anti-social behaviour and created pathways for personal development, education and employment.”
David added: “Craig’s commitment goes far beyond his job title. He leads with integrity, compassion and belief in the potential of every young person he works with, showing genuine care for the community, embodying everything this award represents.”
“Craig truly deserves to be recognised as our Community Captain. His impact since 2012 has been profound, and everyone here at Sky Blues in the Community — and I’m sure all the countless young people he has supported along the way would join me in congratulating him on this award.”
Ali Myton, SBitC Premier League Inspires Project Manager: “I have been privileged to have worked with Craig for more that 15 years. Craig is warm-hearted, fun-loving people person and a worthy Community Champion, whose ability to network, build bridges and partnerships with other community organisations is second to none. Craig has a community first approach with an instinctive ability to identify opportunities for young people, creating pathways and initiatives for those who are often seen but not heard.”
Ali continued to say: “Craig’s enthusiasm is contagious and he has been a joy to work with from challenging diversionary evening sessions in the community to meeting that important report deadline. He makes everything seem that much easier when he’s around, congratulations mate well deserved!”
Dianne Williams, Moat House Community Trust – (MHCT), a community-led charity, based in a multi-cultural,10% most deprived areas in England, shared her connection with Craig: “Representing SBitC, Craig approached *MHCT more than 10 years ago, recognising the opportunity for the Kicks programme to engage with our much-challenged young people. Since that time, we have collaborated on many activities from football, basketball, netball, disability, mental health, and large events. Summer 2018 we piloted Coventry’s first holiday club with food – the largest in England, which became the model for ‘Holiday Activity & Food’ programme and the inspiration for Henley Grub Hub, which with the help of SBitC served 150 families weekly throughout COVID.Craig is passionate, committed and always ready to go the extra mile, whatever the challenges.”
Dianne added: “So many young people have benefitted and the impact of Craig & Dave from SBitC has been to create an exemplary partnership record of achievement.”
Helen Kirkman, Violence Reduction Partnership, commented: “I have had the privilege of working closely with Craig White through Sky Blues in the Community on a number of projects. His leadership of the Premier League Kicks programme, delivered across multiple communities in Coventry each week, plays a vital role within our wider violence reduction work. Craig’s commitment to partnership, consistent engagement with young people, his ability to deliver credible, high‑quality provision, and determination to bring youth voice into decision making, all contribute directly to creating safer spaces and stronger opportunities across the city. His work complements and strengthens our broader efforts to reduce violence and support young people to thrive. Craig is an exceptional partner, and this recognition is thoroughly deserved.”
Everyone at Sky Blues in the Community congratulates Craig on being recognised as our Premier League Community Captain.