TrustNEWS Item

Ref: tn_2404
Date: 3rd November 2004

Play On - Kick Racism Goes Beyond Soccer Dome

Football fans in Wigan have voted with their feet in the ongoing battle to rid the beautiful game of the ugly spectre of racism.

Teams from across the borough recently converged on Wigan's JJB Soccer Dome for an action-packed day of competitive play as part of the borough's Kick Racism Out Of Football (KROOF) campaign.

More than 160 players from different cultural backgrounds were cheered on by more than 120 spectators during round after round of hotly contested footie fun. And when the final whistle blew there was only one winner - the game itself.

Wigan's KROOF campaign is now in its second successful year. Events have been organised throughout the year by an all-star squad from Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust (WLCT), Wigan Council, Groundwork Wigan & Chorley, Greater Manchester Police, Wigan Athletic and the JJB Soccer Dome.

The KROOF programme is about challenging and working toward getting rid of racism once and for all. It's about improving cultural links and encouraging the development of multi-cultural friendships through football. WLCT Community Regeneration Manager and event organiser John Hesketh said: "This was a tournament without winners or losers, a day on which people of different ages and ethnic origin came together to share in an enjoyable festival of football.

"The event was held in a really good atmosphere, bringing many different communities together."

Wigan's KROOF team has put on a host of events during the year, including a fun five-a-side competition at Mesnes Park, the History of Black Footballers exhibition at the Turnpike Gallery and a half-time presentation during one of Wigan Athletic's recent home games.

There's plenty more to come as well including:

A school tournament for primary and secondary schools from across the borough on Wednesday November 17. The children and young people taking part in the competition are currently working in the classroom to explore the issues surrounding racism in greater depth.
A half-time presentation at Wigan Athletic's home game on Saturday December 11 to celebrate the achievements of those who played in the community competition and schools' tournament. This will also raise awareness about the campaign.

John Hesketh added: "We hope events such as these will help break down ill-informed prejudices. Wigan's Kick Racism Out Of Football will continue to grow in the years to come. "Next year there will be more events to encourage people to get together to enjoy sports and share different cultural heritage and experience."

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Notes to Editors

The Kick It Out campaign was started by the Commission for Racial Equality and the Professional Footballers' Association in 1993 to challenge and eradicate racism from all areas and at all levels of the game. For more information on Kick Racism Out Of Football visit the campaign website at www.kickitout.org
For more information contact Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust's Assistant Community Regeneration Manager (Youth & Community) John Hesketh on 01942 828516 or Greater Manchester Police Race Relations Officer Abida Niaz on 0161 856 7184.

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