Local Clubs join the County FA in raising the awareness – Kick Racism Out of Local Football
Kick It Out - Week of Action 17th – 25th October 2009.
The Campaign continued into the second week of action. Marion Hayton, Senior Football Development Officer was interviewed by BBC Radio on Saturday 24th October to highlight another game between two diverse teams who play in the Leicestershire Senior Football League. Highfield Rangers FC, a city based club, has players from a wide diverse community whilst Blaby & Whetstone Athletic FC has players from a predominantly white origin. In heavy rain, both teams wore ‘One Game One Community’ T-shirts during their warm up session before lining up to follow the match officials and a group of Highfield Rangers FC U9’s players carry the One Game One Community Flag and assemble on the half way line for pictures. Prior to kick off, Laurence Jones, Chief Executive of the County FA presented both team captains with England U17’s signed ‘One Game One Community’ T-Shirt and an Umbro voucher for their support with the Kick It Out Campaign.
The younger players then went to enjoy a skill session with Julie Callaghan, FA / Tesco Skills Team Leader for Leicestershire & Rutland CFA. The U9’s team also received an Umbro voucher for their good behaviour.
Our final visit will take place at Saffron Dynamo FC were the host club will see the U18’s side play against Leicester Nirvana Midweek Youth FC U18’s. The date is Wednesday 4th November 2009. Kick off is 7.30pm
Leicestershire & Rutland CFA would like to thank all the Leicester & District Mutual Football League, Leicestershire Youth League, Leicestershire Midweek Floodlit Youth League, Leicestershire Senior Football League and the Leicester & District Football League for their support. Also our thanks go to all the clubs mentioned above who took part in promoting Kick Racism Out of Local Football.
We would like to send a message: ‘It is not the colour of your skin that matters but the colour of your shirt’. Football should be enjoyed by all. The Campaign is not for just the 10 days but for every day of the year. We have a duty to say No to racial comments. We all have a part to play, from players, managers, coaches, match officials right through to spectators. We cannot continue ignoring these remarks and it is the responsibility of those in charge of players, to step in and stop it. By ignoring these kinds of remarks, they will never go away only it will allow others to think it is accepted. Let us all play our part!.