Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) has announced three first-time PFA Player Ambassadors among the players who have come forward for the 2020-21 season.
A record eight first-team players have confirmed their support for CACT’s adapted work in the community this season, including last season’s PFA Community Champion Jonny Williams, who will be the Schools Ambassador.
Deji Oshilaja has become the Kicks Ambassador. Deji visited the re-launch of the Premier League Kicks programme CACT delivers last year, having attended the Kicks project himself when he was a teenager. Deji has already taken part in a virtual player appearance this season. Captain Jason Pearce will remain as the Disability Ambassador, as he has been the past two seasons, visiting programmes such as the Charlton Upbeats Down’s syndrome project during that time.
Goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer becomes the Health Ambassador and Ben Purrington remains the National Citizen Service (NCS) Ambassador; whilst new signing Ryan Inniss becomes the Mental Health & Wellbeing Ambassador. 2018-19 PFA Community Champion Darren Pratley will be the Girls & Women’s Football Ambassador, and Omar Bogle will be the Equality & Diversity Ambassador.
Charlton Athletic's Player Liaison Officer, Tracey Leaburn, said: “I’m proud to have so many players come forward and put themselves down as PFA Player Ambassadors. In these uncertain times it’s important that the players continue to show their support for CACT’s work in the community, in whichever way possible.
“We’ve had a range of good virtual player appearances already this season, including Deji Oshilaja answering questions from young people around Black History Month. And we’re looking forward to working with CACT to fit in as many appearances as possible during the rest of season.”
The full list of PFA Player Ambassadors is as follows:
- Schools – Jonny Williams
- Equality & Diversity – Omar Bogle
- Health – Ashley Maynard-Brewer
- Kicks – Deji Oshilaja
- Disability – Jason Pearce
- Girls & Women’s Football – Darren Pratley
- Mental Health & Wellbeing – Ryan Inniss
- NCS – Ben Purrington
