Argyle Achieve Family Excellence Status
Argyle have been awarded EFL Family Excellence Status for the 2021/22 season.
The Family Excellence Scheme recognises continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues, with Argyle and other clubs placing young fans and families at the centre of their match-day planning.
Given the particularly challenging set of circumstances that society faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, EFL clubs’ work to ensure supporters have been welcomed back safely, whilst boosting the match-day experience, has been recognised across the scheme this season.
EFL clubs received two ‘mystery family’ visits throughout the season, with their feedback and reports determining whether each respective club would achieve ‘Family Excellence’ status. Now in its 14th year, the Family Excellence Scheme is an ongoing consultation programme, which aims to drive continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues.
Argyle narrowly missed out on a ‘Gold’ rating, with an average score of 8.7/10 across our two mystery visits (against Doncaster Rovers in September 2021 and Rotherham United in March 2022), falling slightly short of the 9/10 rating required to achieve the highest accolade.
However, the score of 9/10 achieved against Rotherham United was benchmarked as the second highest in Sky Bet League One, and top 10 in the EFL as a whole. Overall, across the two visits, Argyle ranked fifth in the division.
The assessors were full of praise for the improvements made across departments at Argyle between both visits, with the latter visit scoring 9/10, up from an 8/10 experience first time around.
The report read: “Home Park continues to offer a very engaging family experience, characterised by good information on family services, an excellent retail experience for kids (the personalised items especially) and the friendly and engaging Plymouth Argyle match day team.
"There is a relaxed and welcoming feel from the moment you see players making themselves available for autographs and pictures to the fabulous antics of Pilgrim Pete: still one of football's most mischievous mascots.
“All in all, another a fantastic season for the Pilgrims.”
Argyle’s Supporter Relations Manager, Daniel Pippen, said: “We are delighted to have achieved Family Excellence status with the EFL.
Our teams across the club work incredibly hard to deliver the best match day experiences possible for our supporters, and this award is a well-deserved reflection of our work in this area.
“Of course, we will continue to strive to improve further – with nothing short of Gold status our target – and continue to welcome any and all feedback families have about their match-day experience at Argyle.”
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “I would like to congratulate the record number of clubs that have achieved Family Excellence status this season. Ensuring a memorable match-day experience is vital to attract the next generation of young fans so it’s great to see so many clubs excelling in this area”.
“Fans returning to EFL clubs in their millions this season has been fantastic to see and club staff should be commended for going the extra mile to make the match-days engaging for families attending live games.”
