SRtRC: Scotland Match Action Campaign
Show Racism the Red Card’s Match Actions Campaign is back again in 2023, with clubs across Scottish football showing their commitment to anti-racism over one weekend – Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October. We have been lucky enough to enjoy a long-term productive partnership with the SPFL, SWPL and all of their member clubs
This weekend also coincides with Show Racism the Red Card’s UK-wide annual fundraising drive, Wear Red Day, taking place on Friday 20th. On this day, individuals and groups up and down the country are encouraged to wear red and donate to show their support for the campaign and its message.
We are a charity that exists through necessity and the Match Actions campaign gives us a huge platform across Scotland to highlight the inequalities that persist due to racism. A recent SRtRC survey revealed 46% of staff are aware of racist bullying or discrimination in Scottish schools, while 66.4% are aware of pupils expressing misconceptions, stereotypes, or negative attitudes that are racist. In the past fortnight, freedom of information requests have highlighted that there has been an increase in racist incidents across Scottish schools.
These statistics prove that our work as the UK’s leading anti-racism Education Charity, is as relevant as ever. We are thankful to the teams across Scotland taking part in Match Actions for using the power of football to initiate conversations about anti-racism and for sharing messages of tolerance and inclusion for many years. Now more than ever, the importance of active anti-racism cannot be overstated.
The Match Actions weekend also takes place during Black History Month and as part of the celebrations, SRtRC are partnering with the National Library of Scotland. On the 26th October at Glasgow’s Kelvinhall, there will be a film screening of Mark Walters, in the footsteps of Andrew Watson and a subsequent discussion about Andrew Watson, Scotland and the world’s first black international footballer.
Billy Singh, SRtRC: Scotland Campaign Manager, had this to say,
We are delighted with the support for anti-racism that exists within Scottish football and are very proud of our upcoming match actions. However the work must continue. We call on our supporters to continue to challenge racism. It is a shared responsibility across the game, from dressing rooms to boardrooms, and from stadiums to social media, to ensure that an anti-racism ethos is maintained throughout the year. And please remember that all our teams are made up of different nationalities from all over the world. Migrants make a positive contribution to Scotland and that’s something we should celebrate.
Andrew Watson Film Screening at National Library of Scotland Kelvinhall: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-andrew-watson-major-taylor-on-film-tickets-708440383257
