The Arsenal Foundation scooped 'Best Community Football Scheme' at the Football Business Awards 2016 at Emirates Stadium.
The award recognised the commitment and expertise we have shown in our local community for over 30 years - supporting young people, isolated members of the community and a wide variety of charities – which has recently led us to take our local work global.
Working in partnership with Save the Children, the award gave special mention to the creation of football pitches in camps for displaced children in Iraq, funded by The Arsenal Foundation.
Arsenal Ladies Captain, Alex Scott who visited the pitches in Iraq earlier this year, picked up the award on behalf of The Arsenal Foundation saying: "I am so proud to have picked up this award on behalf of Arsenal. The work we do - locally and internationally - is outstanding and really does change people's lives. The football pitches in Iraq are something special and I'm so pleased to have witnessed the project first hand. It's great to have this work recognised."
Arsenal Chief Executive, Ivan Gazidis, added: "It's wonderful to win this award and for the hard work of Arsenal in the Community, The Arsenal Foundation and Save the Children to be recognised, but what's most important is that it shines a light on the impact sport and indeed Arsenal can have on young people's lives.
"The game is part of the joy of childhood. Pitches not only provide a safe place to play, but can bring about community cohesion, structure and discipline in difficult circumstances. Knowing the projects are supported by Arsenal can be very motivating and inspiring for young people in difficult and desperate times. It sends a message that they are not forgotten."
Our football initiative in Iraq was the first project of its type developed in partnership with Save the Children. Football pitches and projects will continue to develop in Indonesia, Jordan and Somalia with Save the Children and locally in north London which will use the Arsenal name to engage young people and change lives.
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