Mark Antoniewicz, known as AZ, has been named our Premier League Community Captain, in recognition of his dedication, generosity and popularity within our local community.
Our Men’s First Team Manager, Mikel Arteta, and Managing Director, Richard Garlick, were at Sobha Realty Training Centre last week to present the award to AZ during a bowls session that helps combat loneliness among elderly members of our local community.
AZ began his journey with Arsenal in the Community as a participant in one of our Back to Work employment programmes in the late 1980s. In 1989, he transitioned into a full-time role with us, marking the start of an incredible career inspiring, coaching and mentoring thousands of people in our community across a variety of roles. The Arsenal Bowls Programme has been running since the formation of Arsenal in the Community, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary during 2025 and forms part of our Premier League PFA-funded Health programme. The Arsenal in the Community team creates a sense of belonging by delivering social programmes to 5,000 people every week.
Mikel Arteta, said, “It was fantastic to see our community bowls programme in action and to spend some time with the group. Our team and community inspire each other and I'm proud to see everyone coming together like this.
“I also had the honour of presenting AZ with his Community Captain award. It was a special moment for all of us. AZ’s passion and commitment for Arsenal across more than 35 years keeps us all moving forward together.”
Freddie Hudson, Head of Arsenal in the Community, said, “It’s fitting that AZ is being recognised with the Premier League Community Captain’s award in the same year that Arsenal in the Community celebrates its 40th anniversary as he’s been a key figure in the team for nearly the entirety of that time.
“As our community work has grown, AZ has grown with it and helped shape it. He provides an important sense of belonging for so many in our community and it’s a proud moment to see him celebrated in this way.”
Arsenal Bowls provides physical and mental health benefits, builds long-lasting friendships and helps to combat loneliness and isolation.
The programme is one of several delivered by the Arsenal in the Community, with others including Parkinson’s Walking Football and our work with North London United, providing children and young adults with Down’s syndrome the opportunity to play football.
Our Parkinson’s Walking Football group travelled to Sobha Realty Training Centre last year for a special session, with our former player and Hale End graduate Emile Smith Rowe in attendance to play with the group.
Emmanuel, a North London United participant since its inception in 2013, visited Sobha Realty Training Centre last season, to interview Mikel about our club, with men’s and women’s first-team players including Martin Odegaard and Leah Williamson also visiting the sessions at The Arsenal Hub.
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