West Ham United defender Vladimír Coufal has had his outstanding off-pitch contributions recognised in supporting the West Ham United Foundation’s community programmes by being awarded the Players’ Project Award.
Coufal has enjoyed a another successful year in Claret and Blue on the pitch. The Hammers’ flying Czech right-back has recorded seven Premier League assists in 2023/24, matching his single season high set in his debut season in Claret and Blue in 2020/21, as well as helping his national team book their spot at UEFA Euro 2024 this summer.
Away from the pitch, Coufal has been an unsung hero within the east London community and embraced the responsibility that comes with being a Premier League footballer. The 31-year-old has worked tirelessly to help inspire the next generation and those who hope to follow in his footsteps, while making a positive contribution within the Borough of Newham and beyond.
Rashid Abba, West Ham United Academy Link Mentor, had the privilege of presenting Coufal the trophy following the players’ lap of honour at the London Stadium.
The Players' Project Award stands as a testament to the defender's efforts in enhancing the lives of others through his involvement with the West Ham United Foundation – and has been a shining example of a true community Champion.
Since arriving at West Ham United in October 2020, Coufal has been an incredible role model for the Club’s Foundation and has fully embraced the tight-knit community spirit, actively supporting the Foundation in its unwavering mission to provide life-changing opportunities to thousands of individuals throughout East London and Essex.
He has made regular appearances and taken part in regular Foundation activations throughout the season, including visits to Bobby Moore Academy and Cleves Primary School where he shared personal experiences and advice on pursing football as a career, while also taking part in the ‘Ambition, Aspire, Achieve’ campaign at Christmas.
“It’s quite a good feeling to be honest, to win something else rather than just for performances on the pitch,” said Coufal. “It’s really important for me, and I said it from the first moment that I started to do some projects for the foundation that the West Ham community is very important, so to win this prize is obviously good for me, is something new and I really appreciate it.
“I think the whole community of east London is connected to our Club and West Ham, so it is very important. I meet these people [in the community] every day when I go for a coffee with my family, when I train at the park with my son or when they come to ask for a photograph or an autograph.
“It is a pleasure that these people recognise me and that they are so kind, so I just try to give them the same side of love, and to be able to be a part of the project’s within the Foundation for the people who don’t have money, can’t afford for their kids to go to football training or provide hot lunches means a lot and is something that is so important to me. As a kid we had money but not what we wanted, so it is important for me to help these kids get the opportunities to grow up.
“I also have my own projects, so every year me, my wife and our family give a certain amount of money to the hospital where kids with cancer [visit for treatment]. The mothers have to be there with their kids almost 24 hours per day and it is very difficult for them to buy something so I always give them a certain amount of money.
“I hope so, but I think so for sure [it helped me become the person and player I am today]. On the pitch I am maybe a bit more aggressive than I am in my personal life but I try to be very, very kind to the people who love me and try to be an idol for a lot of people. How you behave to people is how they will behave to you is my main piece of advice for the kids. I grew up with these conditions and my mother and father tried to treat me like that, so I am just trying to keep on going and advising the kids of the same.”
Everyone at West Ham United and the award-winning Foundation would like to thank Vladimír for his outstanding support for the West Ham family.
