Sophie Dales named as Community Captain for More Than A Game initiative | OneFootball

Leeds United has named Sophie Dales as the 2025 Community Captain in recognition of her commitment and contribution to society and the game.

Clubs across various leagues are currently celebrating the ‘More Than A Game’ campaign and highlighting the positive impact of Premier League investment into communities and clubs at every level of football.

The Premier League is investing £1.6 billion into wider football and communities (between 2022 and 2025) to support football across England and Wales, and this world-leading funding into clubs, communities and facilities continues to positively impact and inspire millions of people.

As part of ‘More Than A Game’, the Premier League are celebrating more than 100 Community Captains – individuals nominated by EFL, Premier League and National League clubs for their contribution to their local community via programmes funded by the Premier League.

Sophie Dales has been chosen as Leeds United’s Community Captain this year, for her incredible commitment to the local community and for always going above and beyond for those she comes into contact with.

On receiving the award, Sophie Dales, said: “I cannot put into words what the Community Captain award means to me. To be honoured with such an award gives me a huge sense of pride, it all feels like a dream. I really do feel very privileged to be part of a fantastic Foundation and Club.

“One of my main goals in life is to help others, especially those in need, and to make sure everyone within the community feels a sense of happiness even if it’s just for a split second. I would like to take this opportunity to thank from the bottom of my heart all involved in making my dreams become a reality.”

Leeds United are proud to celebrate the achievements of our chosen Community Captain, Sophie Dales, recognising the instrumental role they play week in and week out at the Leeds United Foundation. Sophie started working with the club's official charity in 2021, and has taken on more and more responsibility each year, putting in extra hours and offering extra support for our participants and other staff members.

Sophie works across a number of the Leeds United Foundation Health and Wellbeing initiatives and her knowledge around fitness, along with her incredibly kind nature and her ability to support individual needs and care for people has resulted in huge success across various programmes.

From holding circuit sessions under the Don Revie stand and supporting people with mobility issues in local hospitals, to working across 16 care homes through the Foundation on a weekly basis, nothing is ever too much for Sophie to take on. She is always willing to give 100%, and always puts the needs of her participants first, making sure that their time spent with the Foundation is the highlight of their week.

Frances Milner, CEO of the Leeds United Foundation said: “We are incredibly proud to recognise Sophie as our Community Captain. Her unwavering dedication, passion and commitment to the Health and Wellbeing team have made a significant impact on so many lives. Sophie embodies the values of the Leeds United Foundation, going above and beyond to support those in our community. The recognition is a testament to her hard work, and we are delighted to celebrate her outstanding contribution."

Premier League Director of Community Nick Perchard said: “It is so important that we continue to recognise and collectively highlight the positive impact that work within local communities has, championing those at the heart of Premier League-funded initiatives. Success on the pitch enables the Premier League to share unparallelled investment into communities and football at all levels across England and Wales.”