Dan Ballard named as Sunderland AFC’s 2025/26 PFA Community Champion

Sunderland AFC defender Dan Ballard has been named as PFA Community Champion for his work with the Foundation of Light across the 2025-26 season.

The PFA Community Champion Award aims to raise awareness of the great support that players provide to their club's community activities during the campaign.

Ballard has been recognised for his ongoing support for Sunderland AFC’s official charity throughout his four years with the club.

The Northern Ireland international has regularly donated items including signed shirts and match-worn boots to assist the Foundation of Light with fundraising.

Ballard has also made several visits to Foundation sessions including attending World Book Day celebrations at the Beacon of Light as Where’s Wally, joining in with summer holiday courses, and recently surprising young supporter Toby Patterson with a mascot place.

Foundation of Light Chief Operating Officer Jamie Wright presented Ballard with his award while the 26-year-old attended a Wear Together session where the charity tackles social isolation in over 55s through a range of activities.

“It’s nice to be presented here at the Beacon of Light. I’m extremely pleased and quite surprised,” Ballard said after picking up his award.

“Everyone I speak to is just so lovely and supporting. I always think I should be doing more with the community because you know it helps people and it gives you that self-pride.

“The work that the Foundation of Light do is amazing and to be a small part of that, it brings me a lot of joy.

“The great thing is they support so many people, and not just the young children, but they’ve got so many different sessions for older people as well.

I’ve been lucky enough over the past three or four years to have been involved in many sessions and see the incredible work.”

On the highlight of his work with the Foundation, Ballard added: “I think the visit I did recently with Trai Hume, surprising the mascot, felt really nice.

“We had a real connection, and getting to walk out with him at the Stadium, it was a really special moment.”

On the defender’s award, Foundation of Light’s Jamie Wright commented: “Dan has been absolutely outstanding for us this year.

“Everything from coming along and visiting sessions, making people’s day, to the regular donations of shirts and boots that are so important for our fundraising. He’s very deserving of the PFA Community Champion Award.”