The Footballer with Sunny Sahota
WELCOME back to the BCFA’s column which outlines the proactive work that we are carrying out in The West Midlands and Warwickshire to increase the number of Asians into the game and highlight the Asian community’s participation in football at all levels players, coaches, volunteers, fans and referees.
Firstly I will start with the excellent news of Real West Brom becoming the first Adult Charter Standard Club in the Greets Green area of West Bromwich.
The club who play in the Birmingham Premier of the Shapla League, apart of the Sandwell Yemini Association that provide football for the Yemeni and Bangladeshi community of the Greets Green and West Bromwich region have enjoyed a prosperous few years with the success of winning promotion and receiving the Golden Boots awards in 2006 and now they celebrate Charter Standard Club Status.
Since the start of the UEFA Hat trick project in Greets Green in 2005, manager Abdul Kahar has engaged in the project which has seen the benefit of using football to promote community cohesion and health related activities.
Abdul said “by being involved in the UEFA Hat trick project Real West Brom FC have been able to access training and coaching qualifications in order for us to be able to apply and gain our Charter Standard. The scheme has benefited us well also in terms of new players and young players participating in all aspects of football”
For more information on the UEFA Hat Trick programme contact- West Bromwich Albion Community Programme Rus Smith 08700 662 840 or email russel.smith@wbacp.co.uk. For more information on FA Charter Standard Clubs contact Heidi Lockyer 0121 357 4278 or email heidilockyer@birminghamfa.com
Finally the FA are urging everyone to get involved in the One Game, One Community week of action this October by participating in the Kick It Out Cup at Goals Soccer Centre’s in your area.
One Game One Community is the annual action week which is one of the most prominent anti-racism and community engagement initiatives in the country that takes place between 18-30 October.
During the week of action which seeks to tackle racism whilst simultaneously celebrating the contribution made to football by all communities, of all races, cultures and religious beliefs there will be a series of events held up and down the country to support the campaign.
So do your bit and join the Week of Action by playing in the Kick It Out Cup at GOALS Perry Barr on October 22nd KO at 7’o clock or GOALS Black Country, Willenhall on the same day with KO at 6’o clock Every team will receive five “One Game One Community” t-shirts as well as a captains arm band – as will be worn by the Premiership stars throughout the week of action.
Director, Piara Powar, welcomed the partnership with GOALS, “5 aside Football is huge in the UK – so the partnership with GOALS for the Week of Action is a great way to get people involved.”
“We hope teams across the country take the opportunity to back the Week of Action through playing Football at their local GOALS centre.”
By playing your part in the tournament you will be joining the top professionals and clubs in the country along with fans and community organisations in getting behind the One Game, One Community message.
For further information on the Week of Action see www.kickitout.org
