Doncaster Rovers have been awarded Family Excellence gold award status for 2019/20, reflecting the club’s continued commitment to attracting and engaging families and young fans at Keepmoat Stadium.
During what became an unprecedented season for EFL football, the scheme recognises that family engagement continued to thrive in 2019/20, despite supporters being unable to attend live fixtures for the final part of the campaign.
Rovers received ‘mystery family’ visits during the 2019/20 Season, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, with the assessors’ feedback and reports determining whether the club would achieve ‘Family Excellence’ status.
The EFL’s Family Excellence Scheme sees each club assessed across a range of touchpoints, in order to reflect and report on the first-time family experience they encounter. The club has strived to continually improve the service and engagement levels available for youngsters and families, and we are proud that this work has been recognised as part of the Family Excellence programme.
Things such as DDTV and the Donny Dog Twitter account were just two examples of the work done to achieve gold status.
Based on the assessors’ feedback, Rovers are one of just ten EFL clubs to achieve a Family Excellence gold award for the 2019/20 season, in recognition for an exceptional family matchday experience provided across the two club visits.
EFL CEO, David Baldwin said: “It is fantastic to see the continued dedication of EFL clubs to provide an exceptional matchday experience for families when attending fixtures across the League.
“We know nothing beats the joy of watching a live fixture and the EFL and its clubs look forward to welcoming the return of fans to stadia, when it is safe to do so. Up until the Covid pandemic outbreak it is clear from the evidence gathered throughout the Family Excellence Scheme, that young fans and families were experiencing a high standard of matchday experience across the League. It is testament to clubs’ hard work that the standard of experience offered to families continues to rise, and this will undoubtedly help to ensure a welcoming environment will be provided for all families, once we are able to return to stadia.”
See below a full list of gold award winners:
Blackburn Rovers, Brentford, Cardiff City, Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City, Luton Town, Middlesbrough, Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers.