STEVENAGE Football Club was recognised for their work in the local community on Sunday evening at the 2011 Football League Awards by receiving the award for the Football League’s Education Project of the Year.

Stevenage FC in the Community, which is the charitable body of the club, provides an extensive range of sporting and education provision within the local community and were commended by the Football League for their ‘kick Start Money Skills Programme’.

The programme, which is sponsored by the town’s local Barclays Bank, seeks to tackle the bad stigma attached with football’s modern game by educating 7-11 year olds about the importance of money management.

The six-week programme which has already been delivered to over 360 pupils at St Margaret Clitheroe, Roebuck, Springmead and Woolenwick Primary Schools addresses where money comes from, what it can be used for and how to manage it, all in line with the government’s Every Childs Matters imitative.

Pupils also receive an hour’s money-themed practical football session, a Barclays learning pack and the opportunity for their parents to receive free money management lessons.

Head of Community Alex Tunbridge said: “We are delighted to have received the award in only our first season as a Football League Club. A big thank you must go to Barclays Bank who have helped fund and deliver the successful programme which is helping to educate our local community in tough economic times.”

Barclays will also be linking up with Stevenage FC in the Community to deliver a free Community Coaching Day at Stevenage FC’s Shaphallbury Sports Academy on Wednesday, April 13 between 10am-3pm. For more information check out www.stevenagefc.com