Punjabi Rams were crowned winners of the Fans for Diversity Award at the 2021 Football Supporters' Association Awards last night at the Londoner Hotel, London.
The group, landed the accolade ahead of fellow groups from the Fans for Diversity campaign, AFC Autism, Apna England, Lady Imps, Love Football Hate Racism and Pride in Football.
The award rounds off a fantastic year for the group that saw them launch a number of initiatives to support social causes and the local community. A list of highlights can be found below.
"This is an incredible achievement for us as a group and testament to the fantastic support that the club and the Derby County fans have shown us. We will continue to serve our community and help drive the agenda of improving representation in football." Jaideep Mann - Punjabi Rams Committee
Punjabi Rams would like to take this opportunity to thank Anwar Uddin who leads the Fans for Diversity campaign, Dev Trehan who has been the voice of South Asians in Football at Sky Sports, all of the fellow groups on the Fans for Diversity campaign and most importantly their members and followers for the support they have shown.
Highlights:
Launched a Black History Month feature last October profiling black excellence at DCFC
Raised awareness of South Asian issues and educated the football community about the Farmers Protest which was supported by fellow fan groups, Sky Sports and ex-DCFC player Fikayo Tomori
Launched the #PRLocalHeroes campaign in sponsorship with Fans for Diversity to highlight individuals that had gone above and beyond for their community throughout the pandemic
Raised awareness of International Women's Day 2021 by interviewing a member who has been watching the Rams since 1975 and Derby County FC Women's winger Kira Rai
Donated 168 easter eggs to Derby's Food 4 Thought Alliance campaign which aimed to provide every child in Derby an Easter Egg
Ran mental health sessions for members during lockdown before embarking upon a fundraising drive for the charity MIND, through a raffle of Nathan Byrne's shirt
Awarded the 2020/21 Player of the Year Award to Nathan Byrne
Wrote an open letter to the Club's board post 2020/21 season that got media coverage questioning the Club's future
Part of the Supporters' Charter Group
Participated in the Derby County Community Trust 10k
Launched the #OurCommitment campaign to get more fans into Pride Park on match days
Helped to launch the Proud Rams supporters group
Partnered with London cocktail bar, Callooh Callay to launch a virtual advent calendar on Twitter