Swedish international Ken Sema has been named Watford Football Club’s PFA Community Champion for his ongoing support to the Club’s community and official charity Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust.
Through ambassadorial roles to meaningful player community engagements, Ken Sema has consistently proved his credentials as a positive role model in communities. There have been appearances with the Club’s free membership scheme for young supporters – Junior Hornets, whether that is part of open days or events such as the Christmas party. At Trust football camps during the school holidays, Sema has not simply attended but engaged all children taking part, joining in, and speaking with youngsters with a smile on his face. Toward the end of 2023, Ken also attended a local homelessness charity New Hope, visiting their haven, and spending time with people staying in the Watford Winter Shelter.
In 2023 Ken became an ambassador for Watford FC supporters group Women of Watford FC (WOW) to help amplify the group’s voice, while also providing support for their aims and activities.
Finally, and by no means least, it has been widely reported that Ken Sema has a stammer. After a simple post-match interview went viral for his inspiration to many others with a stammer, Ken has embraced his role as a role model. Speaking and meeting with national charity Stamma and promoting the topic across newspapers and television, including an interview with SkySports. Recently, Ken met with Speech and Language Specialists at the NHS and attended Harpenden Memorial Hospital to speak with other adults with a stammer, through shared experiences, Ken was able to make a real difference to service users and staff alike.
After the aforementioned appearance, Sarah Hinton, Clinical Lead Specialist at the NHS’s Adult Speech and Language Therapy department, said;

“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.”

The Professional Footballers’ Association is the union for all current and former footballers and scholars in the Premier League, the FA Women’s Super League, and the English Football Leagues. The PFA also administer funds and support to community organisations across the country, as well as reinforcing Club and player links with their communities. Maheta Molango, CEO at the PFA said:

“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. We would like to offer our congratulations to this season’s recipient of the 2023/24 PFA Community Champion Award.”