The Royal British Legion and EFL in the Community join forces to launch football recovery programme

Introduced this weekend at the Lilleshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre, the programme sees participants engage in a series of football-led sessions delivered by the RBL and EFL Clubs designed to promote positive physical and mental wellbeing.

The RBL Football Cup is one of a number of projects being delivered by the RBL and EFL Clubs to support the Armed Forces community, including the RBL’s Battle Back Centre in Shropshire, which uses adaptive sport and adventure activities to help improve confidence and positively impact mental health and wellbeing.

During the launch event, over 70 members of the Armed Forces community representing nine Clubs across the League participated in round robin matches, before Team Millwall was named as the Cup winners.

Rob Biggs the captain of the winning Millwall team said: “I think the tournament was a massive success, the best thing about it was the banter that started from the Saturday morning all the way to Sunday evening, I’ve not laughed so much in ages and with people I’ve never even met before this event.

"The impact it has on veterans will be massive and so many will be talking about this tournament for weeks if not months to come. To do it where England trained for 1966 was incredible as well and it was the perfect setting for the veterans.

“It was really lovely to see nearly 100 ex-servicemen together knowing you all have that same thing in common no matter where you come from.”

For many veterans, being part of a team helps to rediscover the camaraderie and comradeship that many have missed since coming out of service. It provides a valuable opportunity to take part in physical activity, which in turn can help to improve mental wellbeing and rebuild confidence.

Paul Flood, Head of Recovery Services at the Royal British Legion said: “We are proud to be partnering with EFL in the Community to provide a programme that supports veterans physical and mental wellbeing. When people leave the Armed Forces, the camaraderie is one of the biggest losses. Having the opportunity to be part of a team again and being around likeminded people is what makes this football programme special.”

Debbie Cook, EFL’s Director of Community said: "We know that our Clubs and the community programmes they deliver can make a positive impact on people’s lives, particularly in the area of mental health where more than 77% of participants asked reported an improvement in their mental health and wellbeing following their involvement in a Club community initiative. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the Royal British Legion on this project to help make a positive difference to the lives of those veterans and members of the armed forces living within EFL communities.”

By using football to bring people together for the greater good, the programme will create and an environment where the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and equally, and make sure they are not disadvantaged because of their service.

Access to adaptive sports and the opportunity to participate in the Invictus Games is just one way the RBL supports the wounded, injured and sick community. Adventurous training and art programmes are also offered to assist people on their recovery journey. Find out more here.

More information about EFL in the Community can be found here.