Foreword

Football and, in particular, Derby County Football Club has the ability to engage people, improve community cohesion and raise the hopes and aspirations of the people of Derbyshire.

As a Club we are committed to ensuring that we respond to local needs whilst working strategically in line with regional and national agendas. We all recognise that sport can play a prominent role in addressing major issues such as obesity, community cohesion, health, employment and attainment.

Through the diverse range of programmes delivered by our Derby County in the Community (DCITC) team, we aim to get people active, raise attainment in schools, work closely with our communities and create a new paid and volunteer workforce to increase future capacity.

Through key partnerships and a robust multi-agency approach, we ensure that we can achieve our aims and objectives effectively and efficiently. Our partnerships work underpins the entire scheme delivery programme and enables us to work strategically within Derbyshire. These relationships enable us to engage with underrepresented and hard to reach groups. We are very aware of the cultural diversity that exists in our local community and we are commited to achieving equitable access.

Our Business Plan details the future direction of the scheme and sets out strategic targets to be achieved over a four year period between 2011 and 2014. It will also ensure that the delivery programme is underpinned by aims and objectives and clearly demonstrates a commitment from Derby County Football Club to enhance the lives of the community it serves.

John Vicars

Chair, Derby County in the Community Board of Trustees
Vice President, Operations, Derby County Football Club