At Good Friday’s fixture against Bristol City, young people that have made an impact in the Barnsley community through National Citizen Service (NCS) will enjoy VIP treatment as they join the players on the pitch to launch NCS Match Day, a special awareness-raising event organised by Reds in the Community.

A handful of lucky Barnsley Football Club fans who all graduated from the NCS programme – during which they gave back to the local community by volunteering and fundraising –  will be going to the game as special guests of the Club to mingle with star players!

The event, supported by Barnsley Football Club and Reds in the Community, will be part of a wider EFL Trust campaign that sees NCS Match Day reach over 30 EFL and Premier League clubs across the country, highlighting the positive work that young people have done in their local community.

In 2017, NCS Matchday reached over 3 million people, with over 500 football players across the country celebrating NCS and the young people that have given back to the local community.

Our NCS Matchday was originally planned for the postponed Championship game with Norwich City earlier this month but we are delighted to have re-scheduled the event.

Football fan and NCS graduate Josh Woods from Barnsley, said: “I’m looking forward to meeting the team on Friday and telling them all about our achievements on NCS.

“Through the programme I’ve met people from different backgrounds who have taught me a lot about the wonderfully diverse society I live in. I’ve overcome self-doubt that previously held me back and as a result, I’ve been amazed by what I can achieve.

“I hope NCS Match Day inspires others to sign up and experience NCS, as well as to be actively involved in their local community.”

NCS is a flagship government initiative that provides young people aged 16-17 the chance to take on new challenges, experience exciting activities, make long-lasting friendships and develop vital skills that will support them later in life. It was launched to tackle three core issues of importance to society: social cohesion, social mobility and social engagement.

Barnsley FC defender and Social Inclusion ambassador Ethan Pinnock is a big supporter of the programme: “I’m really looking forward to Friday as it’s always a pleasure to meet such an inspiring group of young people and hear about the great things they have accomplished on NCS.

“It’s an honour to be Social Inclusion Ambassador for Reds in the Community as it allows me to get involved in brilliant programmes such as NCS, giving young people the chance to experience a variety of activities and challenges whilst building new friendships and benefiting the local community.

“Ultimately, NCS lays a solid foundation for young people to go on confidently and achieve whatever they want in the future.”

In Barnsley, the NCS programme is delivered by Reds in the Community, with the support of teens who have already graduated from the initiative, and has made its mark on people’s lives and the local community. Participants enjoy a number of fun-filled team activities while away on a residential retreat, before returning to Barnsley to help local charities and initiatives raise money through various different community-based events, such as the renovation of Deangate care home Mapplewell, organising sports days and also providing a helping hand at Albert horse sanctuary

Almost 400,000 young people have completed the NCS programme to date, giving up an incredible 11.7 million hours to social action projects since NCS started.

Hannah Philips NCS Co-ordinator at Reds in the Community believes that more young people in Barnsley can benefit NCS: “I would encourage any young person to take part in NCS. It is a unique opportunity where you can develop life and employability skills, make new friends and have lots of fun.”

Follow #NCSMatchDay to keep up to date.

Our NCS programme is looking for team leaders to help run the initiative for Summer 2018.

Please click HERE for details on how to apply for the exciting opportunity