We are delighted to announce that Bristol Rovers Football in the Community has successfully become a Silver Standard Community Scheme.

After a number of months working hard behind the scenes to ensure that we met all the intricate criteria to evolve from a Bronze Scheme to a Silver Scheme, we recently submitted our Silver bid to the Football League Trust.

We were informed by the Football League Trust that we had successfully met the criteria to become a Silver Standard Community Scheme. This is fanstatic news as by becoming a Silver Scheme we will receive greater access to potential new projects which in turn will benefit our community in the longer term.

Community Officer Peter Aitken said "I feel that this is just reward for the Community Department, who over a number of years have probably not had the recognition for the day to day work in which it performs in and around Bristol.

"This also supports the high standard of working practice in which we deliver through our projects and representing Bristol Rovers.

"Last but not least I would like to thank Wayne Noble and John Moody for their support and enthusiasm in representing the Community Department and achieving this award."

Football League Trust General Manager Dave Edmundson said: "I would like to heartily congratulate all the clubs who have achieved their Silver award.

"This is a wonderful indication of the new levels of impact and engagement that schemes are bringing to the communities they serve.

"More importantly, this demonstrates the impressive range of projects and initiatives delivered by League clubs in all four themes, and the partnerships being established in both the public and private sectors."

Edmundson added: "Overall standards are high, and there is no doubt that the Trust, along with the support of all the clubs, intend to maintain this rising trend of improvement."

To achieve Silver status, all clubs must fulfil a range of criteria set out by the Trust.

These include:
* An approved level of governance, including representation of at least one senior club executive and at least two strategically-chosen external trustees on the scheme's board
* At least one themed officer working on projects relating to one of The Football League Trust's four core themes (social inclusion/ community cohesion, health, education and sports participation)
* A minimum of a three-year business plan showing sustainable programmes being delivered across all four of The Football League Trust's core themes.
* Evidence of how funding provided by The Football League Trust is being utilized and how it will be used to attract additional funding into the schemes
* Evidence of how schemes are linked into local decision making groups, for example Local Strategic Partnerships
* Evidence on how the schemes works with the Football Club on issues relating to youth development
* A strong player appearance policy
* Charitable status in place

All clubs must also have met The Football League Trust Minimum Charter standard.

To learn more about Rovers' Football in the Community scheme please click here or on the logo below.