After six years of dedicated service to AFC Wimbledon Foundation, Director Philip Rudling is set leave his role in order to pursue a new career opportunity.
Philip has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of AFC Wimbledon Foundation, engaging with local communities, promoting inclusivity, with a particular focus on social inclusion. Under his leadership the Foundation has grown significantly, from a small staff team of five based in a portacabin in the corner of Kingsmeadow, to one that employs 14 full-time staff at our community hub, the Cherry Red Records Stadium, Plough Lane.
The Foundation’s work during the Covid-19 pandemic along with the Club’s move back to Plough Lane enabled Wimbledon to win the EFL Trust’s Community Club of the Year Award in 2022, recognizing that the community values of the football club have always been at the centre of its mission.
Philip said: ‘’As the Foundation’s Director over this period it’s been a pleasure to work with so many committed club, Foundation and community members to drive this work forwards and establish the football club as a core community resource for local people. At the heart of our work is a dedicated staff team who understand local needs and are committed to improving the lives of young and older individuals in our area.
“I would also like to thank the volunteers on our Board of Trustees over the last six years, who have provided fantastic support and guidance to myself as a Director. I’m sad to be leaving such a welcoming and community based club for another CCO role in North London where I’m based, but believe I have left a positive legacy at the Foundation for others to further develop and grow in partnership with the football club.’’
Philip listed a couple of highlights from his time at AFC Wimbledon:
Upping Your Game – “our first major piece of youth engagement work delivering free Friday Night Football for young people in the Mitcham area at Tooting and Mitcham Football Club’s facilities, which has evolved into our current PL Kicks projects delivered across four venues per week.”
Phipps Bridge Active Dons Summer Programme 2019 – “funded by donations from supporters, the Foundation ran a very successful free summer holiday multi-sports programme for 60 children on the Phipps Bridge estate over four weeks, providing hot meals each day.
“This model was rolled out into other areas over the next few years supported by AELTC’s Wimbledon Foundation charity and Merton Council’s Holiday Activity Fund and continues to be a central part of our work.”
The Foundation’s Chair of Trustees, Jennifer Scott, expressed gratitude for Philip’s contributions: “Philip Rudling has been an outstanding Director of AFC Wimbledon Foundation. His leadership has established the Foundation's ambition and reputation for improving lives across our local community, reaching more than 2,500 participants every week. We are hugely grateful to Philip for his dedication during the past six years and wish him well in his new role at Tottenham Hotspur.”
Everyone at AFC Wimbledon would like to thank Philip for his hard work and dedication to the role. We wish him every success in his future career.