Key Highlights
- Brentford Football Club has been delivering anti-discrimination workshops in local primary schools.
- The club’s initiative aims to promote inclusivity and educate children about the importance of diversity.
- A poetry competition was organized as part of the No Room For Racism campaign, with hundreds of entries submitted by students.
- Alex, a 10-year-old student, won the competition and received a visit from Michael Kayode to celebrate his win.
Addressing Discrimination Through Education
Brentford Football Club has taken a proactive stance against racism and discrimination by integrating anti-discrimination workshops into primary schools within its local community. These sessions, facilitated by the club’s Community Sports Trust, are designed to educate children on the value of diversity and how to recognize discriminatory behaviors.
Workshops in Action
Over the last month, more than 60 schools in west London and surrounding counties have benefited from these workshops. The sessions align with the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign, which aims to leverage football’s influence on young people to promote inclusivity and equality.
Educating the Next Generation
One of the most impactful elements of Brentford’s initiative is a poetry competition called Writing Stars. This competition invited primary school-aged children to write poems inspired by this year’s NRFR campaign theme, “Greatness Comes From Everywhere.” The competition not only encouraged creativity but also highlighted the club’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
Michael Kayode, Brentford FC defender, participated in judging the poetry entries alongside other key figures from the club. When asked about one of the winning poems by Alex, a 10-year-old participant, Michael expressed his admiration for the poem’s message: “anyone could come, no matter where you’re from.”
Recognizing Talent
Alex’s poem resonated with the judges and was chosen as the winner. To celebrate this achievement, Alex was surprised by a visit from Michael Kayode, Marcus Gayle (a club ambassador), and Ashley Cheatley (Brentford Women player). During the visit, Alex received a signed copy of his poem, a Brentford home shirt, and tickets for him and his family to watch the upcoming match against Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium.
Michael Kayode praised Alex’s work, saying that “his words reminded me of my own story.” The visit was not only rewarding for Alex but also served as an inspiration to other young participants in the competition.
Reinforcing a Message
Brentford FC is committed to ensuring that its message of inclusivity and diversity resonates across various platforms. The club will mark No Room For Racism at this Saturday’s Premier League home fixture against Liverpool, joining other clubs to reaffirm the importance of creating a welcoming environment free from discrimination.
Benjamin Abrahams, who leads on Writing Stars poetry sessions for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, emphasized the significance of using football in education. He stated that “football clubs and their players are incredibly influential in the lives of young people” and highlighted how these initiatives can equip children with knowledge to foster inclusive environments.
Brentford’s efforts extend beyond local schools, as Alex’s poem will also be forwarded for consideration in national finals. This broader reach underscores the club’s dedication to addressing racism not just within its community but throughout wider society.
