On Tuesday, 18 February, Coventry City head coach and former Premier League midfielder, Frank Lampard OBE, surprised Sky Blues in the Community health manager, John Szyndler, and therapy dog Winnie, with a special award in recognition of their dedication to both the club and the wider community as part of the Premier League’s 'More Than A Game' celebrations.
More Than A Game highlights the significant impact of the Premier League’s £1.6 billion investment into wider football and communities between 2022 and 2025.
The funding supports community projects run by 164 professional and non-league clubs, with the aim of providing support to people of all ages who need it most. It also provides funding to non-league, grassroots and women’s clubs to improve stadium facilities for players and fans.
As part of More Than A Game, over 100 clubs across the Premier League, EFL and National League are nominating and celebrating Community Captains throughout February. These individuals are at the heart of Premier League-funded community programmes and are being recognised for their contribution to the game and society.
On Tuesday, Lampard surprised John and Winnie with their award at Coventry City's training ground, thanking them for their continued dedication to Sky Blues in the Community.
“Premier League funding is so important. There is so much work to be done, and many clubs throughout the pyramid need support," said Lampard, a three-times Premier League champion with Chelsea.
"There are a lot of communities and charities that work alongside clubs, but they also need help at times, so the funding is hugely important as it filters down to all of us, ensuring we can help as many people as possible.”
At the end of 2023, John, alongside the Sky Blues in the Community team, launched an inspiring initiative to provide emotional support through the introduction of Winnie, the Sky Blues Therapy Dog, a six-year-old cavapoo. John has owned Winnie since she was a puppy, and together they focus on enhancing the wellbeing of participants in community programmes, including Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Inspires.
“Winnie has always had a gentle nature and delivering mental presentations with her helps pupils manage their emotions," said John.
"Bringing Winnie along just creates a warm atmosphere and helps some of the children who may be struggling with anxiety. It’s really beneficial.”
In their roles, John and Winnie deliver educational sessions in primary schools as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which are focused on emotional well-being. These interactive lessons not only raise awareness about mental health but also offer children the opportunity to connect with Winnie, showcasing the positive impact of animal therapy.
John and Winnie also support secondary school-aged children participating in Premier League Inspires sessions and now also volunteer on weekends to provide even further support to people in need. To date, they have now visited over 80 locations, including local hospitals and care homes, and have engaged with over 1,000 individuals. These visits have been particularly impactful in providing comfort to some of the community's most vulnerable individuals.
After receiving their award, John and Winnie visited a local Sky Blues in the Community soccer camp, where they had the chance to meet Coventry City midfielder Jack Rudoni, who surprised the young people taking part and joined them for a Q&A session.
“Football clubs have such a key role to play in the local community," said Rudoni. "There’s lots of Coventry fans here, so it’s great for the kids to see a player come down and be alongside great people like John and Winnie the therapy dog. I’m sure today brought a lot of smiles to their faces.”
