Louisa Craig is known for her unwavering dedication to her students at Our Lady & St Chad Catholic Academy and the broader Wolverhampton community.
The headteacher's impact stretches beyond the classroom, as she tirelessly works to create opportunities for young people to thrive, both academically and through sport, which is why she was named as Wolverhampton Wanderers' Community Captain by the Wolves Foundation.
The surprise announcement came when former Wolves captain Karl Henry presented the award to Louisa. “I am speechless, probably for the first time in my life," she said.
“I was under the impression I was attending a Premier League Inspires session and was being asked a couple of questions about the project by the Foundation team. Just as I started, I heard a voice that I recognised, because, as a Wolves season-ticket holder I used to watch Karl play, week-in week-out.
"And then, well. What a complete and utter surprise to receive the Community Captain award - I am shocked and blown away to be honest.”
For Henry, presenting the award to Louisa was a privilege. “Teachers have a huge responsibility and so many have such a positive impact on their pupils," he said.
"Miss Craig is at the forefront of that, to have spent 27 years here is incredible and she is hugely appreciated and respected."
A tireless advocate for students
Paul Taylor, assistant principal at OLSC, added: “Everything about Louisa is completely student-focused and about the impact which can be delivered to the students.
"Whether that is supporting them with difficulties they may have in their lives, or investing in high-quality sport and PE, everything is in place for them to enjoy the best possible outcomes; whether when leaving Year 11 or Year 13, or working with the transition from primary schools.
"She is absolutely relentless in her pursuit of ensuring that students get to where they are destined to be and achieve their very, very best.”
As Chair of the PE and Schools Sport Physical Activity group, Louisa also works with all schools across Wolverhampton, ensuring that young people have access to high-quality physical education and sport, from nursery to secondary level.
Helen Bourton, PASS Manager for Wolverhampton explained: "Louisa is one of the most passionate headteachers I have ever met. She really, really cares, not just about her own school community but every child in the city and the families that she works with.
"Her aim and vision is to make sure that every child in the city, wherever possible, would have an offer of good quality physical education and school sport.”
Longstanding partnership with Wolves Foundation
Louisa’s connection to the Wolves Foundation stretches back to 2012. She helped bring a range of sports to OLSC, including handball, basketball, and judo, and now works closely with the Foundation to run the Premier League Inspires programme, which uses football to help young people develop personal skills and positive attitudes for further education and employment.
For Louisa, the relationship between the Wolves Academy and the Foundation is crucial in providing students with opportunities to excel, both inside and outside of the classroom. “I feel really fortunate that we have such an amazing partnership with Wolves Foundation, and the work that they deliver across the city is really inspiring," she says.
"Across Premier League Inspires and the post-16 academy programme, the partnership with the coaching and mentoring is so important, and is really changing the lives of young people and helping them on their next steps in education."
Tamando, one of the students benefiting from the Foundation’s work, shared how much Louisa’s involvement means to him. "Miss Craig has so much involvement in what we do, and has helped bring us so many opportunities.
"Whatever we do we have her full support, and usually when we are playing matches, we can hear her on the sidelines, cheering and commanding!
"She gives us feedback, talking to us but also listening and asking what sort of things we’d like to see. That support really helps with the morale of the team."
About More than a game
More than a game highlights the positive impact of Premier League investment into communities and all levels of football.
The League is investing £1.6billion into wider football, the grassroots game and communities between 2022 and 2025.
This includes funding for community projects run by 164 professional and non-league clubs, supporting people of all ages who need it most, as well as providing much-needed funding to non-league, grassroots and women’s clubs to enhance stadium facilities for players and fans.
