Ken Sema has been named as the Hornets’ Professional Footballers’ Association Community Champion for the 2023/24 season.
The Swedish winger has been recognised for his ongoing support of the Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust, which has seen him take on ambassadorial roles and carry out community engagements.
Sema has consistently been a positive role model, attending Trust football camps during the school holidays and regularly being involved with the Junior Hornets group.
At the end of last year, Sema attended local homelessness charity New Hope and spent time with people staying in the Watford Winter Shelter.
He is also an ambassador for the Women of Watford FC supporters group, providing backing for their aims and activities.
Following a post-match interview which went viral last season, Sema has become a champion for people who have a stammer.
He has met with national charity Stamma, promoted the topic in newspapers and on television and visited other adults with stammers at Harpenden Memorial Hospital.
This work has made a real difference to both patients and staff with Sarah Hinton, the Clinical Lead Specialist at the NHS’s Adult Speech and Language Therapy Department, saying: “We all very much enjoyed listening to Ken’s take on stammering; how his speech does not define him as a person and does not govern the decisions he makes in life.
“We all took away plenty of food for thought, both the service users and clinicians.”
Maheta Molango, the Chief Executive at the PFA, added: “The PFA has once again been immensely proud of the outstanding efforts of players this season and we feel they should be recognised for their support and involvement in the local community.
“The award will hopefully raise awareness of the importance many of our members attach to their roles off the pitch and highlight their continued commitment to support those most in need along with engaging in areas where they have a personal interest.”
Congratulations, Ken!
