Blackpool FC Community Trust column: Helping youngsters in tackling discrimination

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At the start of October, Blackpool FC Community Trust (BFCCT) hosted our annual anti-discrimination event for schools.

The day-long event, in partnership with Show Racism the Red Card, Blackpool FC and the Premier League Primary Stars programme, welcomed 100 children from 12 Blackpool primary and SEND schools to Bloomfield Road.

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Those who attended participated in two education workshops in the morning, covering themes such as hate crime, racism and discrimination in sport.

The topics were well received by the pupils, with knowledge and lived experience shared in constructive and thought-provoking discussions.

Bloomfield Road hosted Blackpool FC Community Trust's annual anti-discrimination event for schools Picture: Blackpool FC Community TrustBloomfield Road hosted Blackpool FC Community Trust's annual anti-discrimination event for schools Picture: Blackpool FC Community Trust
Bloomfield Road hosted Blackpool FC Community Trust's annual anti-discrimination event for schools Picture: Blackpool FC Community Trust
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Tutors also used videos and stories to demonstrate scenarios which helped to highlight the importance of challenging preconceptions and welcoming differences.

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The groups of school ambassadors, sports teams and school council members made notes throughout the day to support them in relaying learning back to their respective schools.

A hate crime workshop aimed to help youngsters prepare to play an active role as citizens in an increasingly multi-cultural society.

It also hoped to enable them to develop good relationships and respect the differences between people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, culture or nationality.

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The racism workshop sought to educate young people about the causes and consequences of racism, as well as explore the various forms it can take.

It aimed to empower young people to challenge racism in their communities by providing them with the relevant knowledge and information.

Pupils also participated in group discussions about discrimination in society and sport.

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The group were then tasked with designing a poster containing an anti-discrimination message.

The winning design will be electronically redesigned and professionally printed before being displayed around the football club and sent to all local schools, sharing the message of unity and equality.

An anti-racism video, featuring many past and current English players from the men’s and women’s national teams, began the afternoon session.

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It emphasised the role society plays in ensuring that any discrimination is challenged and football clubs play a big part in protecting their fans and players from abuse.

This led to a conversation focused on the importance of being an upstander and not a bystander, helping to confront discrimination and show solidarity and support towards victims.

This led into our Q&A panel featuring Blackpool first-team players James Husband and Elkan Baggott along with Gabe Kubwalo, the Academy Foundation Lead.

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The children used this opportunity to share their learning with the players and question them on how they would deal with discrimination or racist abuse.

After the Q&A, the players stayed to sign autographs, take photos and chat with the children before they headed back to school.

Marc Joseph, BFCCT’s head of early years and primary programmes, said: “Events like Show Racism the Red Card are important today and, unfortunately, the topics covered are still relevant.

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“Richard Offiong, who delivered part of the programme, displayed a real connection with the pupils and you could see that his passion was reflected in the learning taking place.

“The main reason for hate and discrimination is due to prejudices and uneducated views.

“We hope the work put in to deliver this programme has a positive effect on the actions of those attending and their peers.”