The University of Greenwich has extended its partnership with Charlton Athletic Football Club and Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT), reaffirming a shared commitment to education, community, and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Spanning over a decade, the partnership has continued to grow. The university became the first sponsor of Charlton’s women’s team, after the team became professional in 2021, and remains a visible presence on both the men’s and women’s first-team kits. Under the renewed agreement, the university will remain on the kit, as back-of-shirt sponsor, and continue to offer discounted tickets for students and staff, collaborate on research projects, and enhance student involvement through part-time roles, work experience, and guest speaker events.
A key highlight of the partnership has been the themed matchdays at The Valley. During the 2024/25 season, five themed fixtures - including the Partnership Takeover Day, Red, White and Black Day, the Greener Game, Football v Homophobia, and Her Game Too - drew record attendances from students, staff, alumni and partners. These events not only celebrate our shared belief in the power of sport to drive social change but also reflect our shared values. Their impact has also been recognised externally; in 2023, the Football v Homophobia fixture was shortlisted for a HEIST Award for Best Community/Business Engagement Campaign or Initiative. Alongside this, the themed matchdays have also created incredible opportunities for students, including part-time employment, professional shadowing, features in promotional content and much more.
The partnership’s impact extends well beyond the pitch. Through initiatives like the Make it Make Sense (MiMS) project, which exists to support pre-16 school learners across south-east London and Kent. In November, CACT visited Saint George’s School in Gravesend, delivering workshops designed to build confidence and help students prepare for life beyond school.
The University of Greenwich also proudly supports Charlton’s broader community work, including Charlton Invicta (the UK’s first LGBTQ+ team formally affiliated with a professional football club) and by sponsoring the annual CACT Awards.
Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the University of Greenwich Jane Harrington said: "The University of Greenwich enjoys a great relationship with Charlton Athletic Football Club and Community Trust and we're proud of the work we do together both off and on the pitch.
"We've been working together for over 10 years and are privileged to both play key roles in our local community. We have a joint belief that sport and education together have the power to drive change.
"I look forward to continuing our work together."
Charlton Chairman Gavin Carter added: "We’re proud that the University of Greenwich is strengthening its partnership with the club. They’ve supported Charlton for many years, not just commercially, but strategically and have played a real role in helping us move forward.
"Developing young people is at the heart of both our institutions. Whether on the pitch or in the classroom, we share a belief in creating opportunities that can shape futures.
"I’m excited about this next chapter in our collaboration and what we can continue to achieve together, for our club, our students, and our community."
Director of Education and Sport at CACT, David James, said: “It’s fantastic that CACT’s partnership with the University of Greenwich has been extended. As established institutions, rooted within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, this collaboration enables us to have an even greater reach and impact, supporting our vision of healthy, happy, resilient and thriving communities.
“I look forward to building on the positive partnership work to date.”
