Kick Racism Out

Thursday, 23 August 2007.

European football’s leading anti-racism campaign, Kick It Out, returns with a Week of Action in October 2007 and local clubs, schools and community groups can access funding for their own equality awareness events.

The “One Game One Community” Week of Action, which takes place from October 18-30, is supported by both the professional and national games and the Football Foundation has teamed up with Kick It Out to give local clubs and organisations a chance to apply for Community Chest Grants totalling £2000.

The Week of Action aims to challenge racism and discrimination within football while celebrating the involvement of minority communities in the game and Kick It Out director, Piara Powar, commented: “The Community Chest Grants will help to empower a range of groups who are using football as a tool to address issues of inequality.
 
“We would urge groups to apply for the grants, get involved in the Week of Action and help us celebrate the contribution that community groups across the country are making to our national sport.”

Kick It Out chairman, Lord Herman Ouseley, added: “We should be proud of the progress we have made in challenging racism in the UK, but should not forget the concerted efforts it took to get here.
 
“The deplorable abuse directed at our England U21s at June’s European Championships in Holland should serve as a timely reminder that racism can still affect us – and our teams. We should also not forget that, outside of the professional game, racism is still as much an issue now as it has ever been.
 
“The Week of Action will celebrate the contribution communities have made to the game and importantly it will offer an opportunity for everyone to take a symbolic stand against all forms of discrimination in the game.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, welcomed the scheme: "The Football Foundation is committed to ensuring that work that engages marginalised groups is supported and developed.
 
"The Week of Action initiative is a great opportunity for groups to apply for funding to organise an event or initiative that makes a real impact and breaks down social barriers."

FA Chief Executive, Brian Barwick, has urged all clubs to get involved and support the Kick It Out initiative: "As the governing body of the game, we are committed to ensuring that football is welcoming to all communities.
 
"The Week of Action will highlight the far reaching appeal of the game across all communities and celebrate the vital contributions being made at the grassroots level by ethnic minority groups."

Clubs and organisations looking to access funding can apply by logging onto the Community Chest section of www.kickitout.org

The deadline for funding applications is the 10 September 2007.