On the 31st July, representatives from across all 72 EFL Clubs travelled to Meadow Lane to help launch the 2018/19 Season ahead of Match Day One on the 4th August.
In an attempt to show the wide range of work and initiatives the EFL support and run, the 72 Club representatives included people from supporters to managers, from walking football to youth team, and from first team to many of the excellent Club Community Schemes.
The EFL requested County send a player from the very successful Community in the Community College Programme which is a testament to the quality of the programme and of the hard work of the programme leader, Dave Lewis.
On receiving the news, Dave said: “For the EFL to request a member of the CITC College Programme is something I am really proud of.
"The programme itself has been delivered for 4 years now. During that time, we have gained a great working relationship with the EFL which I believe is due to our past and current students always representing the Club incredibly well when involved within the EFL games programme. This has been highlighted to us on a number of occasions.”
He continued: “The day itself at Meadow Lane was excellent from start to finish. It started with a live press conference with the likes of Kevin Nolan, Gary Rowett, Matty Blair, Kelvin Phillips and Tom Pope which was aired on Sky Sports News. This was followed by all 72 Football League representatives making their way pitch side for a group photograph which was soon followed by more media interviews.”
A great day at Meadow Lane for the @EFL Season Launch 2018/19. Big thank you to Ben Rose who represented @NewportCounty extremely well ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/SrNEieKO6j
— County in the Community (@CountyCommunity) July 31, 2018
CITC College Programme graduate, Ben Rose, was the chosen person to represent the Club and did so with professionalism and maturity. After completing (and excelling during) his initial two-year course on the programme, Ben was offered a Full Time Apprenticeship which has allowed him to continue to develop and learn within the County in the Community setting. Ben has been a shining example to other people interested in the programme and thoroughly deserved to be the Club’s representative at this year’s EFL season launch.
Dave added: “For Ben to be selected to represent the Club is a great honour and something he should be proud of. This is a clear indication of how far he has come during his time with County in the Community and I am delighted we were able to give him this fantastic opportunity.”
The County in the Community College Programme have continued to improve year on year and last year had the great honour of being the first such programme in the country be able to claim that one of their students (Momodou Touray) had signed a pro-deal.
