We are pleased to announce that Ryan Hedges has been named as our new Health Ambassador!

The Reds winger, who has netted three times this season, will be supporting the health initiatives and events run by the trust through the year, including our award winning Fit Reds programme and our Walking Reds sessions.

Hedges has already played a part in our Community programmes this year, by visiting our Summer Soccer Camps, handing out awards and signing autographs for our budding young footballers.

More recently, Hedges visited Joseph Locke Primary School, with defender Ethan Pinnock, to answer pupils’ questions around what it’s like being a footballer and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“I’m thrilled to take up this position with Reds in the Community and play an active part in helping to push forward our initiatives,” Hedges said following his appointment.

“Health programmes play a huge part in engaging people in the work that RITC do, such as the Fit Reds project, and I’m all too happy to support that.

“It’s important that as professional footballers, we give something back to the local community as best that we can.

“I want to do as much as possible in this role with as much free time as I have available to help support the work that we do in the community.”

Reds in the Community’s Sports Development Officer, Kieron Campbell, is thrilled to have a player like Ryan on board and supporting the programmes moving forward.

“To get a player with the stature of Ryan on board to throw his support behind our projects is a fantastic thing to have.

“He will be helping to promote the likes of the Fit Reds and Walking Football programmes that we run here at Oakwell, along with other activities in the wider community.

“It’s great that he supports the work that we do and we look forward to working with him and having his support,” he added.