Doncaster Rovers have once again opened their arms to the local community by relaunching their popular Attendance4Attendance initiative, which rewards primary school pupils with matchday tickets for high attendance.
This initiative aims to promote school attendance while fostering a new generation of football fans. The relaunch event took place at Carr Lodge Academy in Balby, where excited pupils not only helped reintroduce the scheme but also announced the club’s latest signing.
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Attendance4Attendance: Encouraging School Attendance
The Attendance4Attendance scheme offers free matchday tickets to Doncaster primary school pupils who achieve more than 97 percent attendance across a half term. Each qualifying pupil also receives a discounted adult ticket to make the experience affordable for families. In just a week after the relaunch, over 50 schools expressed their interest in participating, showing the community’s eagerness to engage with the club and support the initiative.
Pupils Announce New Signing
Carr Lodge Academy students had the unique opportunity to announce the signing of full-back Tom Nixon. The young fans conducted an interview with Tom, asking insightful questions before enjoying a kickabout and posing for photographs. Tom also signed merchandise, making the event memorable for the pupils.
Rovers’ Commitment to Fan Engagement
Shaun Lockwood, Doncaster Rovers’ chief commercial officer, expressed gratitude to the pupils of Carr Lodge Academy for their participation. He emphasized the club’s ongoing efforts to engage the local community through initiatives like Attendance4Attendance. Lockwood highlighted the importance of school attendance and the club’s commitment to making football accessible to all, with discounted tickets for accompanying adults.
“The Attendance4Attendance scheme was incredibly popular previously, bringing hundreds of local pupils to the Eco-Power Stadium. We are thrilled to relaunch the programme and look forward to welcoming a new generation of Rovers fans,”
said Lockwood.
Complementary Program: RoversRewards
Alongside Attendance4Attendance, the RoversRewards programme allows schools to award free tickets to pupils for various reasons, not solely based on attendance. This ensures that pupils who may have legitimate reasons for lower attendance, such as medical conditions, can still enjoy the rewards.
Lockwood added,
“We recognize that some pupils may face challenges in maintaining high attendance rates. The RoversRewards programme gives schools the flexibility to reward these pupils, ensuring inclusivity and recognition for their efforts.”
School Collaboration and Support
Aaron Gill, PE coordinator at Carr Lodge Academy, praised the collaboration with Doncaster Rovers, highlighting the positive impact on pupils aged 4 to 11. He expressed strong support for the Attendance4Attendance scheme, viewing it as a fantastic opportunity to reward families and promote local football.
“This initiative not only supports school attendance but also helps raise the profile of Doncaster Rovers, especially now that we have secured city status. We believe it will drive improvements in attendance rates both in schools and at Rovers matches,”
said Gill.
Looking Ahead
The first Attendance4Attendance rewards will cover the summer half term, enabling pupils to attend an early season Rovers match. Schools interested in participating can express their interest through the club’s official channels.
