Kick It Out – One Game One Community Weeks of Action are one of the most prominent equality and community engagement initiatives in the country. The weeks have a strong community focus and play a role in celebrating diversity and inclusion.
Events brought together young people from across Derbyshire were held to tackle racism in football as part of Kick It Out’s ‘One Game, One Community’ campaign.
South Derbyshire Council’s Sports Development and Youth Services hosted several events over the weeks of action. Their events included Street Soccer that was held around the South Derbyshire area for 8 – 16 year olds, a girls football tournament that took place at John Port School as well as adult soccer sessions. On the 24th the South Derbyshire Youth Service put together teams for the Youth Service Tournament held at Clowne College.
The Derbyshire Youth Service hosted a Kick Racism Out Of Football (KROOF) tournament; held at Clowne College on 24th October 2009 as a celebration of diversity and inclusion. Youth Services from districts and boroughs from around the county came together to participate in this one day event.
The tournament saw a bit of a delayed start as some teams got held up on the motorway and due to the risk of the weather turning the tournament got moved indoors but once the day got underway, it just got better as the day progressed.
There was around 80 young people taking part in the football tournaments and on top of that we had young people serving refreshments and refereeing. A young person’s band performed the Firing Blanks from North East who’s emphasis was on the ‘Rock Against Racism’ campaign. A singer from South Derbyshire called Andrew Barnes entertained during lunch and the band played to young people near the end of the day to those who were not involved in the finals.
This event was supported by the Police, St Johns, Pam Reddy, Cabinet Support Member (Young People), Bobby Green from the Bolsover Sports Development Team, Zoe Toombs from Derbyshire FA and the College Staff.
In addition to the Tournament for there was also a Kick Racism Out Of Football poster competition which saw more than 50 posters being displayed on the day. There were also prizes for the winner of a virtual soccer competition, A “Where in the World” Quiz and three separate inter active quizzes around racism and culture.
The Derby City Projects were part funded through Operation Relentless, supported by the Derby Community Safety Partnership and Derby Police to help tackle racism in football and provide positive events for the community. Derby City Council, Derby County in the Community, Derbyshire County Football Association and the School Sports Partnerships organised the sessions which took place at Lees Brook Community Sport College’s artificial turf pitch.
A tournament between six primary schools surrounding Da Vinci, West Park and Lees Brook schools kick-started the project on 22nd October. It included a talk about the important message behind the campaign and all the young participants displayed excellent sportsmanship and behaviour.
Members of the Derwent Kickz Project, Hat-trick project and Derby City Council hosted a city wide Kick It Out tournament and workshops on Saturday 24th October. The tournament involved teams from Derby County Football Club’s Kickz projects, along with other teams from across the city across three age groups. The Under 14s category was won by Derwent Kickz, Derby Moor Kickz beat off strong competition in the U16s section and Sporting Futures Springwood came first in the U18s. All the players visited Pride Park after the tournament to participate in match-day activities and watch Derby County’s game against Queen’s Park Rangers. One player from each of the teams was nominated a fair play award and then carried the One Game, One Community banner onto the pitch before the kick off.
Richard Astle, Football Development Worker at Derby County in the Community said: “The tournament brought together young players from a range of different backgrounds and cultures. There was great camaraderie and a strong sense of community spirit.”
Football 4 Gals on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th saw 40 girls develop their football skills at a special two-day course for eight to 16 year olds. Organised by Derbyshire County Football Association The two day event also had an emphasis on the Kick It Out Weeks of Action Campaign. The course included a group discussion with a female police officer and goodie bags and certificates, presented by Laura Bassett, England and Leeds Ladies Player.
Laura Bassett was keen to support the Football 4 GALS programme:
“When I was young there were no girls-only football festivals, so this programme is fantastic and the fact is focuses on respect and fair-play is even better. There are some great opportunities for the girls to join teams and progress their skills in a friendly and supportive environment. I always enjoy visiting grass-root football projects and I’m delighted to provide a signed England shirt for a fair-play award.”
Ella Winfield (12) was one of the 40 girls excited to be on the course as she explains: “The teambuilding exercises were really good and I particularly liked the match at the end – it was fun!”
Naomi Slate-Walker also aged 12 added: “I met lots of new friends, it’s good to get active and the whole thing was great.”
Councillor Joe Naitta, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Derby City Council said: “This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through partnership working. Hundreds of young people had fun, celebrated their diversity and got active at the same time.”