Foundation of Light name Community Captain to help mark the Premier League’s 30th-anniversary celebrations

Foundation of Light CEO Lesley Spuhler has been named as the Foundation’s Community Captain in recognition of her incredible work in the local area.  

The Community Captain accolade is being given to more than 100 members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to their club and local community, as part of the Premier League’s 30th anniversary celebrations. 

Presentations to the Captains form part of the Premier League Trophy Tour, which is visiting more than 50 professional, non-league and women’s clubs across England and Wales who receive funding from the Premier League. 

Lesley received the accolade at the Beacon of Light, where she was also awarded a PL30 Community Captain armband and pennant. A plaque engraved with Lesley’s name was also added to the Premier League Trophy plinth. 

Managing Director at the Foundation, Jamie Wright, who presented Lesley’s Community Captain award, said: “I’ve worked with Lesley for 21 years and I’ve seen the impact she’s made on the community so I’m over the moon to be able to present her with the award.

“If you look at where we were when she came into post to where we are now, the journey we’ve been on is phenomenal really. Cementing our place across education, skills, world of work and health and wellbeing, and then to be standing in the Beacon of Light is in large part down to Lesley and her vision.

“The amount of money she’s brought into the area is outstanding, to really help those who need it the most. These programmes we deliver in the community, we want to reach as many people as we can but we can only do that when we’ve got the funding and Lesley has more than played her part in bringing that money to the area."

After being presented with the award, Lesley was quick to dedicate the award to the hardworking staff at the Foundation. “It’s absolutely humbling but I’m delighted to be able to accept the award on behalf of all the staff here at the Foundation of Light, and not just the ones who are working for us today but also those who have worked here over the last 20 years.

“The Foundation is more than a job. I came here 21 years ago with a blank sheet of paper and the opportunity to make a difference to the community. The chairman at the time, Bob Murray, said 'you’ve got a stadium, you’ve got football, go out and do whatever you can to do good things for the people of Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham'. The Foundation has been part of me for that length of time and is a vocation and is an absolute joy and pleasure to work for and be part of."

Speaking about the presentation itself, Lesley added: "It's wonderful. We’ve got lots of people here today, people from our over 55’s club, schoolchildren, so for people to be able to come and have their photo taken with the Premier League trophy is fantastic."

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “As we mark 30 years since the Premier League first kicked off, it is important we celebrate the unsung heroes who deliver brilliant work in their communities. These people – whether they are participants, coaches, volunteers or long-time employees – are the lifeblood of their clubs and their communities. 

“The continued success of Premier League football enables us to provide unprecedented investment in communities and wider football. As we look to the future, we are committed to investing more than ever, to help develop the game and provide opportunities to people of all ages.” 

Across England and Wales, Premier League investment supports the community organisations of all 92 Premier League and English Football League clubs, plus the 68 National League clubs.  

Over the next three years, the League will continue its world-leading levels of support by contributing £1.6 billion to communities and the wider game. 

During the Trophy Tour, the League will be announcing new financial commitments to benefit fans and communities. This includes increased investment into the Premier League Fans’ Fund, with £5m available to support fan engagement projects across the top four divisions of the football pyramid. The League is also investing an additional £13.5 million into the Football Foundation to create small-sided pitches in the heart of communities that need them the most. The tour will also give an opportunity to highlight new Premier League investment into women’s and girls’ football, including the Emerging Talent Centres announced earlier this summer. 

To find out more, please visit premierleague.com  

For more information on the Premier League Trophy Tour please contact: PL30@freuds.com