Chairman’s foreword

BRUCE BUCK

Chairman of Chelsea FC and the Chelsea FC Foundation

Like many organisations, the last two years have been incredibly challenging for the Chelsea FC Foundation. The reintroduction of nationwide lockdowns and different tiering of restrictions in many of the regions we work in led to many activities moving back to online formats or adapted to include social distancing and increased hygiene measures.

The Trustees and I were incredibly proud of the Foundation as it adjusted to incorporate these challenges, providing new opportunities for participants whilst ensuring that we addressed important issues such as social isolation, wellbeing and the mental health of participants and colleagues within the Foundation and wider club.

The adaptation of online activities allowed us to expand provision and reach new individuals and groups both at home and abroad, enabling us to engage participants who may not have the opportunity to take part in face-to-face programmes. We were also delighted that club sponsors supported our programmes offering online coaching, education and exercise programmes to communities around the world.

When restrictions allowed, we established innovative small-sided coaching drills to incorporate the rule of six and class-based activities used technology to create virtual classrooms and online social events to keep participants engaged and active.

These adapted programmes were supported by players, both past and present, who joined virtual events to meet the participants and offer their encouragement and share their own experiences.

The ability of the programmes to be flexible meant that when restrictions were eased, participants remained engaged and enthusiastic - all keen to get back on the pitch or into their classrooms. Our walking footballers personified this spirit, remaining supportive of each other through regular online social sessions and fitness drills which led to record numbers of participants getting back out on the pitch when they were allowed to.

Our Say No to Antisemitism programme has continued to go from strength to strength. In November last year we hosted a conference in Vienna, ‘Football’s Role in Combatting Antisemitism’. The conference brought together those fighting antisemitism across Europe who discussed the unique role football can have in combatting hate.

The work of Say No To Antisemitism has inspired us to dedicate more resources towards our wider equality work and our No To Hate initiative is now taking the lessons learnt and applying them across a range of discrimination issues. Through the No To Hate programme, we hope to change the culture of football, celebrate Chelsea’s own multicultural history and provide new opportunities for under-represented communities.

As part of the programme we joined forces with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to bring together children in London and America to learn about equality and celebrate their diversity.

I and the Trustees of the Foundation believe we have an obligation to use the privileged standing of the club and the popularity and power of the game to make a real and long-lasting difference. It is the groups and individuals we serve that we celebrate in this latest annual review as we highlight how our work has had a positive effect on them and their communities.

We are determined to continue to use our unique position to be a positive force in society and to demonstrate to our wider communities that football is more than just a sport. Through the Foundation, we believe we are effecting positive change and in these challenging times our work is more important than ever.