Youth charity The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and The Football League Trust have launched a ground breaking national partnership which will inspire, enthuse and motivate young people to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through football across England and Wales.

Gerry Sutcliffe MP - Minister for Sport in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Clive Betts MP - Member of the Parliamentary Football Team launched the partnership on Friday 17th October at Sheffield United Football Club.

Through this exciting alliance, league clubs will work closely with the DofE to benefit young people who will take part in a series of physical and social activities to get them fit, grow in confidence, develop their passions and bring communities closer together. Successfully completing their DofE programme will mean they achieve a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

This collaboration builds on young people’s passion for their football club and the beautiful game and the expertise of one of the UK’s most highly regarded youth charities to help young people aged 14-24 to achieve the world’s leading achievement award for young people.

It is hoped that with the success of these first clubs that further funds will be made available to support the expansion of the partnership in 2009 to allow more young people, clubs and communities to benefit.

The launch event was attended by all participating Football League clubs including chairmen and community heads, Trustees of The Football League Trust and senior figures from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, including Chief Executive Peter Westgarth.

Gerry Sutcliffe MP said: “There is nothing more inspiring in sport than having the opportunity to train alongside your heroes, at your team's ground and with professional coaches. This is exactly what the DofE and The Football League Trust are doing for young people across the country.This is a fantastic example of two organisations coming together to share their expertise in order to get young people motivated and inspired to take up sport. It’s great that 17 clubs have signed up and I hope more follow suit. I look forward to attending the launch and am sure the project will be a great success.”

Dave Edmundson, General Manager, The Football League Trust said: "This is the Trust's first partnership agreement and really underpins our focus to 'Make Every Goal Count'. Both organisations will become an influential team that will inspire young people to be the best that they can be,and hopefully go for Gold. This is the power of football in action for the greater good and Football League Club community programmes will be fundamental to the delivery of the DofE programme"

Peter Westgarth, Chief Executive, DofE said: “The DofE is delighted to be working in partnership with The Football League Trust. Our alliance will enable us to challenge social and cultural barriers to help individuals and build stronger communities. The combination of young people’s passion for football and our youth development expertise, our combined national networks and the valued Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will create a winning team that will benefit thousands of young people in the years to come.”