Arthur & Lacroix win 2025/26 PFA Community Champion Awards
Chloe Arthur and Maxence Lacroix’s wonderful work and support in the South London community has seen the duo win the club’s 2025/26 PFA Community Champions awards.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Community Champion awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond for their club’s local communities – with Arthur and Lacroix presented with their awards at Selhurst Park ahead of the Men’s fixture against Everton on Sunday.
Arthur wins the award for a second time due to her proactive and consistent engagement in community activity, particularly her leadership within the player project and her commitment to inspiring young girls in South London.
Using her platform to engage directly with young people and promote opportunities within women’s football and the wider sports industry, Arthur’s willingness to give time, share her experiences and contribute to programme activity makes her a strong representative of Crystal Palace and its community values. Even joining Jean-Phillipe Mateta to make pizzas with the DS Eagles last year.
She has delivered school assemblies, speaking directly to young people about her journey in football, raising awareness of the women’s game, providing relatable role models for girls who may not otherwise see a pathway into sport, and supporting our aim of creating more inclusive and accessible pathways into the industry.
Lacroix, meanwhile, wins his award for his consistent, hands-on engagement with our activity and his proactive approach to supporting community work beyond standard player requirements.
He attended and actively supported our annual Christmas Grotto, working with 74 young people from partner schools, many from families affected by the cost of living crisis.
He took part in delivering activities, engaging directly with children and supporting the distribution of gifts and supermarket vouchers, helping create a positive and inclusive experience for families during a financially challenging period.
Lacroix also visited a girls’ Premier League Kicks session at Merky FC HQ, where he spent extended time with participants, joining in with training sessions and small-sided games and reinforcing key messages around behaviour, teamwork and commitment.
In addition to these appearances, Lacroix has independently expressed a strong interest in continuing to support us and has taken part in discussions around future involvement, demonstrating potential for sustained engagement and long-term impact.
A Women’s and Men’s team player receive the awards each year, with previous recipients including Arthur, Aimee Everett, Fliss Gibbons, Leigh Nicol, Amber Stobbs and Ashlee Hincks; and Ebere Eze, Chris Richards, Tyrick Mitchell, Nathan Ferguson, Joel Ward and Wilfried Zaha.