The award and its significance
The University of Greenwich is proud to support Charlton Athletic and Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) following the club's achievement of the English Football League (EFL) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Gold Award, the highest level of recognition within the EFL's Equality Code of Practice.
The award reflects decades of work to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across the club and its community programmes, recognising Charlton Athletic as a national leader in creating an inclusive environment for supporters, players, staff and local communities.
A partnership driving positive change
As a longstanding partner, the University of Greenwich has supported the club's EDI journey through its involvement in annual Red, White and Black Day celebrations and representation on Charlton's EDI Working Group. The university will once again support the 2026 Red, White and Black Day community parade, which will bring together more than 400 participants from local schools and community organisations to celebrate diversity and community spirit on 1 November.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to using education, sport and community engagement to create positive social change across south-east London and Kent. Through its contribution to the EDI Working Group, the University of Greenwich continues to provide strategic insight and support, helping to strengthen the club's inclusive culture and community impact.
Dr Michael Seeraj, Head of EDI for the club and CACT, said:
"The true significance of the Gold Award lies not in the accreditation itself, but in the work behind it: creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected and valued. In a period where communities can often feel divided, football continues to provide a powerful platform to bring people together."
Recognising the power of collaboration
The achievement was also recognised at a civic reception hosted by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Mayor of Greenwich, attended by representatives from the University of Greenwich, Charlton Athletic and other local partners. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating more inclusive opportunities across the borough.
For the University of Greenwich, Charlton Athletics’ EDI Gold Award demonstrates the value of long-term partnership working. Together with Charlton Athletic and CACT, the university remains committed to supporting initiatives that celebrate diversity, tackle inequality and strengthen communities across Greenwich and beyond.