Rovers have been confirmed as one of the top 10 clubs in the EFL for family excellence, as one of the first to achieve the Family Excellence Gold Award.
Rovers have been highlighted for their welcoming approach to families, with initiatives such as Donny Dog’s Kennel ensuring they were one of only two Sky Bet League One clubs to reach that standard.
Chief executive Gavin Baldwin said: “This is testament to the incredible level of hard work put in by our staff, both on matchdays and in the days leading up to the game to ensure everything runs smoothly.
“We are in a very elite band as one of only 10 clubs in the whole EFL, and three outside the Championship, so everyone who is involved in putting together our matchday family offering can be very proud of their achievements.
“We continue to set the standard for other EFL clubs to follow, and I know our staff are working hard to ensure we keep at this level and improve on it.”
As well as Rovers, the other gold award winners are: Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Derby County, Fulham, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers, Reading, Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town.
EFL clubs received two mystery family visits throughout the season, with their feedback and reports determining whether each respective club would achieve Family Excellence status. Seven clubs have achieved the honour every year they have been eligible, three of them in every year of the of the Family Excellence process.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “It is hugely encouraging to see the continuous development and improvement made by EFL clubs in offering engaging match day experiences for families. For more than a decade the EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme has helped to produce positive and impactful change across the leagues, helping to drive a real focus on match day entertainment, facilities and the overall experience on offer for families, and ultimately to assist in growing attendances.
“Its impact continues to be notable with several Clubs gaining strong industry-wide reputations for offering true family value and a consistently high level of service and innovation.
“The EFL will continue to work with clubs to help drive change and support the continued effort to attract and retain future generations of supporters. Congratulations to the clubs that have achieved Family Excellence status and to those that have been awarded Gold status in its inaugural year.”