My name is Jack Rutter and I have the honour of being a Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation ambassador.
I was fortunate enough to be approached by the club just before the start of the first lockdown to become an ambassador.
Having captained England and Great Britain in Paralympic football and been a player at Birmingham City football club for eight years it was very exciting to be asked to represent a Premier League club that I hold in high esteem.
Especially when I heard about the amazing work that the Foundation at the football club does for the people from all walks of life within the Wolverhampton community.
My role so far has included telling my story and passing on my experiences of being an England and Great Britain football captain and Paralympian. I have delivered sessions with the under 18 men’s team, the well-being/mental health group Head 4 Health, the Premier League Kicks group and the young para-football players involved in the disability football program.
It has been very rewarding to connect with so many people involved with the football club and to also spend time with and speak with so many amazing people who work for the Foundation.
This was epitomised with the Molineux Sleepout held over the last two years which I have witnessed and viewed online and taken part in, albeit outside in my garden. The spirit, togetherness and passion of the football club is obvious for everyone to see and to play a small part in the Foundation makes me extremely proud.
Over the past few months I’ve been very busy working as a motivational speaker, mentor and football coach. I’ve held an inclusive workshop at the University of Wolverhampton as well as delivering a personal and social development programme on the island of Jersey on behalf of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and also working for League Football Education working with young players on personal development.
It’s been a busy time but busy is good and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Disability Football Christmas Celebration at the Foundation. l’ll be following with great interest and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.
I just want to wish everybody attending the event the very best and I hope it all goes well. You all deserve a huge amount of credit for what you do for the football club.
Looking ahead to next year I am hoping to join a few sessions run by the Foundation and potentially watch Wolves Disability team train and play.
I will also continue my mentoring programmes, delivering my speeches in schools and preparing my England Under-21 Cerebral Palsy team for a tournament in Russia.
More busy times ahead!
Thanks for reading and hope you have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
