Learning / Bristol Rovers
Schoolchildren learn how football can be used as a vehicle to challenge racism
Children from primary schools across Bristol have been learning how football can be used as a vehicle to challenge racism.
At a special event at the Memorial Stadium in collaboration with Bristol Rovers Community Trust and educational charity Show Racism the Red Card, pupils were taken through their paces with a morning of informative workshops.
In the afternoon, the children from Emersons Green, Glenfrome and Shield Road primary schools turned journalists, writing anti-racist newspaper headlines, and interviewing special guests including two Rovers first team players about their own personal experiences of racism and their efforts to combat it.
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“We’re delighted to be helping to educate Bristol’s children on the importance of recognising the negative impacts of racism and discrimination,” said Bristol Rovers Community Trust CEO, Adam Tutton.
“With recent racist events in football it is now more important than ever to educate all those within our community.
“We stand united with organisations like Show Racism The Red Card and Kick It Out to tackle all forms of discrimination within football and society.”
Bristol Rovers first team players Tyler Smith and Victor Adeboyejo signed autographs for young Gas Heads after the event
The afternoon press conference was attended by Bristol City Council cabinet member for women, children & young people, Helen Godwin; Bristol Rovers assistant manager Joe Dunne; and to the excitement of the young guests, rising Rovers stars, Tyler Smith and Victor Adeboyejo.
Godwin said: “Football should be the ultimate level playing field, because it’s based on pure talent and hard work and should be accessible to everyone.
“For me, young people hold the power. They have the power to change what is acceptable language and behaviour and they have the power to call it out wherever racism is heard and that can be in the playground, classroom or even at home.”
Read more: Bristol Rovers and Bristol Prison join forces for new partnership
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