Albion’s PFA Community Champions announced
Joel Veltman and Carla Camacho have both been honoured by the Professional Footballers Association for their community work in the 2025/26 season.
Carla and Joel have been named as PFA Community Champions, an award which highlights players who have made their work with communities and good causes central to their role as a professional footballer.
This is the second time Joel has won the award, having also been named Albion’s Community Champion in 2023.
Joel has been a strong supporter of the charity since his arrival at the club six years ago, becoming an official Foundation ambassador in 2022 and showing a sustained commitment to supporting the Foundation.
This season, Joel has made several surprise visits to young people; he and Olivier Boscagli cheered up pupils at Patcham High School after a school trip was cancelled, and Joel was joined by Matt O’Riley visiting a disability football holiday camp in Lancing.
He has also supported a number of charity events including the Foundation’s Christmas lunch, several fundraising quiz nights, and the Foundation’s 35th Anniversary Ball.
Joel said: “I’m really pleased to be named as a PFA Community Champion again.
“Over the past few years I’ve been lucky to meet so many amazing people through the Foundation. The Foundation does great things for local people, and I’m happy to support in any way I can.”
Carla Camacho arrived at the club in 2024 and has made a positive impact in the local community, advocating for access to girls’ football.
She has supported the Foundation throughout the past season; joining in with a mental health workshop with girls in the Foundation’s Advanced Centre, giving an inspirational talk at a Premier League Kicks free football session in Worthing, and supporting the charity’s Christmas fundraising campaign.
“Football is a powerful thing and I think it’s really important we bring the sport to as many women and girls as possible,” Carla said.
“Winning this award is a big honour, and I hope to carry on supporting the Foundation and girls’ football however I can.”
Joe Jenkins, BHAFC Foundation Chief Executive, praised Carla and Joel for their community work.
“Both Joel and Carla have had a fantastic impact on people across Sussex this season,” he said.
“Having Albion players at our football sessions is incredibly powerful; meeting a Premier League or WSL player is a memory for life for the young people we work with.
“We’re very grateful to both award winners for their support across the season, and I’d like to congratulate them both for receiving this much-deserved accolade.”
Maheta Molango, PFA CEO, added: “We know from our work with players that they feel passionately about using their influence in positive ways to drive change in their communities.
“Our PFA Community Champions have shown incredible dedication to community engagement projects over the season and it’s right that they are celebrated for the impact they’ve had.
“On behalf of everyone at the PFA, I extend our warmest congratulations to this season’s winners.”