Toby and Jenna named Community Champions

Toby Alderweireld and Jenna Schillaci have been named as the Club’s PFA Community Champions for 2019/20.

The scheme is set up by the PFA to reward players throughout the professional game at every club who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to off-field work during the season.

Defender Toby was nominated as the Men’s team Community Champion having shown a great interest in the Club’s community work and understanding of its importance.

He recently paid a surprise visit to Crowland Primary School in Tottenham to mark the third year of the Premier League Writing Stars poetry competition.

Had an amazing time visiting a Writing Stars session at Crowland Primary School this afternoon! Was great to see all the laughs, love and hard work of the kids. Keep up the good work! Thanks for having me 🙌 #THFC pic.twitter.com/CwtOmgdmlG

— Toby Alderweireld (@AlderweireldTob) February 27, 2020

After taking part in a series of activities and games with a Year 6 class, he spent extra time meeting students and teachers in the wider school community and talking to them about ambition – the theme of this year’s competition.

Toby has demonstrated willingness to go the extra mile when it comes to fan engagement, meeting with fans after matches and sending video messages of encouragement if he is unable to attend an event or project in person.

This was the case with six-year-old Edie Jackson, an unwell fan Toby had planned to visit at home. Sadly, she wasn’t well enough when the time came so Toby sent her a video message instead.

Toby gives his backing to good causes not just in the Club’s local community, but also in his home country. For example, he recently supported a national anti-bullying campaign in Belgium which saw him send out 1,000 bracelets to young people, encouraging them to think twice before making negative comments.

Het is deze week de nationale Vlaamse #weektegenpesten
Pesten is de negatieve manier om jezelf aanzien te geven.
Samen met mijn familie deel ik deze week 1000 anti-pest polsbandjes uit. Langs deze weg willen wij jullie aanmoedigen er aandacht voor te hebben! pic.twitter.com/rVVu7hgbt4

— Toby Alderweireld (@AlderweireldTob) February 17, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has donated tablets to hospitals in Belgium for patients to be able to connect with their loved ones and is extending this scheme to hospitals in the Club’s local community.

Toby said: “Community is so important to us as a Club and we are committed to supporting people of all ages in our local area. I’m proud to be involved and will continue to champion this fantastic work.”

Women’s captain Jenna has always been passionate about getting involved with the Club’s community work and this season has been no different.

Alongside men’s skipper Hugo Lloris, she attended the opening of The Ark – the new home of our charity partner, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, spending time with staff and families.

Jenna recently visited the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s girls’ half-term football tournament where she gave the young players some words of wisdom, demonstrated her football skills and cheered the teams on from the sidelines. She spent extra time handing out medals for the winners and took part in dance routines, bringing further enjoyment to the occasion.

Jenna has continued to show her support for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign and this season attended an event held at the Tottenham Experience as the Club illuminated the stadium in rainbow colours as a statement of support for the campaign.

In the build-up to International Women’s Day, Jenna shared her inspiring football journey with students at a local Primary School and sent video messages of support.

Jenna said: “I thoroughly enjoy doing anything and everything I can to help this community. I love Tottenham and want to help and inspire as much as possible.”