Manchester City education event with SRtRC

Over 80 young people from local school’s visit Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium to take part in a arrange of activities to challenge racism.

"I think that anti-racism education is really important, not only in sport but in life. Racism has an awful history and is something we want to make part of the past."

"Football is a global sport and we don't want to hear of anyone being treated negatively because of the colour of their skin or where they come from. Footballers have a high profile image and a responsibility to help show youngsters that racism is wrong."

Gael Clichy, French International & Manchester City defender

The Show Racism the Red Card ‘Tour of the North West’ was concluded with a fantastic event at the Etihad Stadium where former players and current starts turned out to answer questions from young people and show their support for the campaign.

 

School children from local primary schools including St Margaret's Primary School, Ashbury Meadow Primary School and St Augustine's Primary School arrived at the stadium barely able to contain their excitement and prepared to become ‘journalists for the day’ by grilling a panel of current and ex professional footballers in a specially arranged press conference. 

 

On arrival, the young people took part in an anti racism workshop lead by former Swindon Town striker and SRtRC patron Christian Roberts. The workshop, which is designed to help young people to challenge assumptions and stereotypes was very well received; with pupils energetically participating and taking notes. 

 

The workshop session was closed with Show Racism the Red Card staff providing the young people with a simple definition of racism and giving advice on how to recognise racism and what to do about it.

 

The anti-racism activities were then followed by a screening of the Show Racism the Red Card film which explores the history of racism, both in football and in society, and features players from across the world of football sharing their experiences and encouraging youngsters not to tolerate racism.

 

Following more note taking, the ‘press conference’ began, with young people welcoming a range of special guests to the panel. Joining SRtRC’s Christian Roberts was former Manchester City goalkeeper Alex Williams, who played over 140 times for the club during the 1980’s and received an MBE from Prince Charles in 2002 for services to the community. 

 

Also on the panel was Manchester-born former Sunderland star Gary Bennett, who was joined by fellow Show Racism the Red Card patrons Vincent Pericard (ex Juventus & Portsmouth striker) and Ken Monkou (ex Chelsea and Southampton defender). 

 

The panel was completed by Manchester City midfielder and Northern Ireland International Kim Turner, with equalities officer Luthfur Rahman representing Manchester City Council. 

Current Manchester City star Gael Clichy also took part in the event and showed his support for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign saying:

"I think that anti-racism education is really important, not only in sport but in life. Racism has an awful history and is something we want to make part of the past."

"Football is a global sport and we don't want to hear of anyone being treated negatively because of the colour of their skin or where they come from. Footballers have a high profile image and a responsibility to help show youngsters that racism is wrong."

"That is why it is great that campaigns like Show Racism the Red Card are able to put on events like the one today, and why it is a good thing to be part of."

   

SRtRC would like to thank everyone involved in making the event such a success, especially current City players Kim Turner and Gael Clichy, City legend Alex Williams, all of the SRtRC patrons and ambassadors, Manchester City Council and everyone at the club and of course the young people themselves.