Kick it Out!

Sheffield & Hallamshire FA teamed up with the Trust to deliver the Kick It Out message, during the One Game, One Community Weeks of Action Campaign.

This event held on Friday 30th October 09 at the Barnsley FC Academy and was one of many events held across the region as part of the Kick Racism Out of Football – Weeks of Action 15th – 27th October 2009.Aside from delivering the Kick It Out message during the home game against Bristol City (24th October), Barnsley FC invited Sheffield & Hallamshire FA staff to deliver a lunchtime quiz on the themes of Kick It Out to a group of children attending Barnsley’s World Cup Day, which formed part of a week long programme of half-term soccer camps.

Over 70 children took part in the quiz which highlighted the diverse background of participants that contributes to the professional game in England and around the world. Barnsley FC Community Coaches provided a helping hand with the more difficult questions, which ranged from a picture quiz round, flags from around the world, and footballs diverse history in the English game. Every participant received a combination of Kick It Out and Sheffield & Hallamshire FA merchandise. In addition, the winning teams were presented with One Game, One Community t-shirts and sweatbands. The activity demonstrated Barnsley FC and Sheffield & Hallamshire FA’s ability to work in partnership to deliver a clear message that there is no place for racism or other forms of discrimination in football, but do this in a fun and interesting way that engages children.

Wayne Bullimore, Chief Executive from Barnsley FC’s Community Sports & Education Trust “Barnsley Football Club are happy to support the One Game, One Community weeks of action. We are pleased to have been able to work in partnership with Sheffield & Hallamshire FA to provide this educational message to attendees on our well attended half-term football camps.

Christopher Bly, Senior Football Development Officer from Sheffield & Hallamshire FA said “On behalf of Sheffield & Hallamshire FA I would like to thank Barnsley Football Club for allowing us to play a part in their Kick It Out programme. The opportunity to deliver the One Game, One Community message is as important now as it ever has been. The competitive but collaborative way in which the children participated in the quiz demonstrated that you can educate and inform in a way that can be both interesting and fun. Organisations such as Barnsley Football Club and Sheffield & Hallamshire FA have a key role to play in helping build strong and inclusive communities. Events such as this are just one way in which we can demonstrate our joint commitment to the Kick It Out message”.