French football’s social game has opened a new chapter, with the 19th Philippe-Séguin Trophies inviting clubs to put their work beyond the pitch in the spotlight.
The Ligue 1 news
The Football Foundation has launched its call for entries for the latest edition of the Philippe-Séguin Trophies, an initiative designed to recognise social and civic projects delivered across the French game.
All 14,000 amateur clubs affiliated to the French Football Federation can submit an application until 7 December. Entries must fall into one of four areas: education and citizenship, gender equality and diversity, solidarity and inclusion, or health and the environment.
Professional clubs and players can also enter through two additional categories.
The previous edition attracted a record 367 applications. Jacques Bungert, president of the Football Foundation, said the growing number of projects represented “authentic, meaningful and inspiring stories” that could be shared more widely.
More than 5,000 social and civic initiatives from within football have now been identified by the Foundation. Since the awards were created in 2008, 306 clubs have received recognition and total prize funding has exceeded €1 million.
Bungert said the trophies celebrate club-led projects throughout France which demonstrate football’s capacity to serve a wider social purpose.
FC Metz were among last season’s winners for “The FC Metz Experience for All”, which saw the club install France’s first sensory room inside a football stadium. The space was equipped to meet the needs of supporters with autism spectrum disorders.
Each of the four category winners will receive a Grand Prix worth €5,000. The other three finalists in every category will each be awarded €2,000.
The next appointment in France
Applications are being accepted online until 7 December. Around 20 projects in each category will then be retained for an initial jury review on 20 January.
Four selected candidates will make an oral presentation on 10 March, before the trophy ceremony is held on Thursday 20 May.
