Regarded as the best right back in the world, Liverpool FC star Trent Alexander-Arnold is shortlisted in the HSBC UK Ethnicity Awards for his work with Football for Change. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool FC star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been shortlisted for a major award for his involvement with the Football for Change initiative.
Trent, now regarded by many pundits as the best right back in the world, has been nominated for a HSBC UK Ethnicity Award for his work to support young people from disadvantaged communities on Merseyside.
He was part of a number of football stars including Everton’s Anthony Gordon and Jamie Carragher to launch the charitable initiative, which seeks to break down social and economic barriers preventing young people achieving their potential, in August.
The annual Ethnicity Awards awards, launched to coincide with the start of Black History Month, recognise Black and minority ethnic role models. This year’s shortlist includes an array of inspirational celebrities and public figures.
Trent is shortlisted in the Sports Personality category alongside Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford who has been nominated for his work with the charity FareShare UK. Boxing champion Anthony Joshua and racing driver Lewis Hamilton are also in the running for accolades. Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling won an Ethnicity Award in 2019 for his campaigning work against racism.
“Football for Change is about helping young people onto a positive path,” said Trent. “It is footballers and football fans coming together with a goal to help improve the life chances and opportunities of young people from some of the most challenged neighbourhoods in the country. It is needed more than ever and I am proud to be part of it.”
Ethnicity Awards founder, Sarah Garrett, added: “Trent Alexander Arnold is incredibly deserving of his place on the 2020 Ethnicity Awards shortlist. He is a fantastic sports role model and has used his platform to shine a light on issues facing young people facing real social challenges in some of the poorest parts of the country.”