Annual-Review
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
7262_KIO_AR_AW_Layout 1 10/12/2012 12:43 Page 1 Annual Review 2011-12 7262_KIO_AR_AW_Layout 1 10/12/2012 12:44 Page 2 CONTENTS 2 FOREWORD 3 PROFESSIONAL GAME KICK IT OUT WORKS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS “AND PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS TO HELP INSPIRE, 5 MENTORING AND EDUCATE AND GIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO THE YOUNG LEADERSHIP PROJECT AND OLD.” 7 PLAYER AND MANAGER SUPPORT Jason Euell, Charlton Athletic FC 9 ONE GAME, ONE COMMUNITY WEEKS OF ACTION 11 MEDIA AND CAMPAIGNING 13 COMMUNITY 15 GRASSROOTS 18 EDUCATION 19 INTERNATIONAL 21 ACCOUNTS 22 SUPPORTERS @kickitout Facebook/kickitoutofficial [email protected] 0800 169 9414 7262_KIO_AR_AW_Layout 1 10/12/2012 12:44 Page 2 FOREWORD 2 WELCOME TO KICK IT OUT’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE 2011- 12 SEASON, A CAMPAIGN WHICH CONTAINED MORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE OF TALKING POINTS. The belief, held by some in positions of power to a measurable year-on-year improvement in contribution, working with partners across the entirety and resource, that racism in football was no combatting discriminatory abusive conduct. of the game, to make the participation in football longer a concern to justify ongoing campaigning as a player or spectator, an enjoyable experience. and educational work, was abruptly exposed, There is still much to do. That is an undeniable ironically, during Kick It Out’s One Game, One fact. However, there has been a demonstrable On behalf of our Trustees, I express warm Community weeks of action. Two incidents in positive response by The Football Association appreciation and much thanks to our core the space of a week with elements comprising (FA) and the Police in taking decisive action, sponsors, partner organisations, supporters, of racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia, wherever necessary, against perpetrators in ambassadors, staff, volunteers, advisors, clubs set the tone for an intense period of activity and addition to the many awareness-raising education fans and players for their commitment to help scrutiny for Kick It Out which still exists today. programmes. Those actions, coupled with strong football’s image and with its contributions to the anti-discrimination leadership among many in creation of a fair and equal society with In light of all of this, there is no basis to suggest powerful positions in the game have generated enhanced community cohesion. that the game is riddled with prejudice, hatred, confidence that football can face up successfully Lord Herman Ouseley bigotry and exclusion. The majority of players, to the ongoing challenges of making the sport Chair, Kick It Out officials and fans conduct themselves with dignity genuinely free from inequality, abuse, harassment and respect for others. Considerable investment and exclusion. by the authorities, leagues, clubs, fan groups and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to In this, the 19th year of Kick It Out’s existence, we educate players, officials and fans have contributed take satisfaction in being able to make a positive 7262_KIO_AR_AW_Layout 1 10/12/2012 12:45 Page 3 3 PROFESSIONAL GAME MUCH OF KICK IT OUT’S IMPACT IN THIS AREA IS BEHIND THE SCENES, ENGAGING WITH ADMINISTRATORS, COMMUNITY AND PRESS OFFICE STAFF AT ALL 92 CLUBS REGULARLY TO ENSURE THE CLUB’S APPEAL IS FELT AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE. MUCH OF THIS COMES UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE EQUALITY STANDARD. The 2011-12 season saw two professional The evidence provided by both Premier tool aimed to assist clubs with the evidence football clubs achieve the highest level League clubs demonstrated a whole-club- gathering process required for Equality of Kick It Out’s Equality Standard, when approach to equality and inclusion across Standard submissions. The tool, supported Advanced level awards were made to all aspects of its operation, as both an by the Premier League, forms part of the Arsenal in November and to Aston Villa employer and a service provider. Arsenal club’s extranet system and features in March. chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: “This is guidance notes and materials to assist a great achievement for Arsenal and is clubs with their submissions. The West Midlands’ club boasts a city-wide something of which the supporters and inclusion project, ‘Villa in Harmony’, as well staff can all be very proud of. However, we In December, the organisation as close links with the Acorns Children’s fully recognise there is a lot to be done linked up with the Football Hospice Trust. to eradicate all forms of discrimination Supporters’ Federation (FSF), in football and beyond. conducting a survey aimed at Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner unearthing fans’ perceptions said: “We are very proud to have achieved “We celebrate receiving this award and of Kick It Out. The move this, especially given everything it stands will use it as a platform to continue the came after the One Game, for and how this relates to our core values good work and engage more people and One Community weeks as a club. Most people will be very aware organisations who can help us contribute of action was blighted by of the close and long-standing relationship to the equality and diversity agenda and two incidents of alleged we have with Acorns but we also have a reach more people from all walks of life.” abuse involving Chelsea’s very real commitment to equality and John Terry and Liverpool’s diversity in what is a very ethnically and Evidence gathering became easier for Luis Suarez, with many culturally diverse community.” clubs as Kick It Out launched an online questioning what exactly THE SEASON ALSO SAW WINS FOR ROTHERHAM UNITED, WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS AND QUEENS PARK RANGERS, ALL RECEIVING THE PRELIMINARY LEVEL OF THE ACCOLADE, PROVING THE APPETITE TO ATTAIN THE STANDARD THROUGHOUT THE PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES. 7262_KIO_AR_AW_Layout 1 10/12/2012 12:45 Page 4 4 WE NEED TO ACT QUICKLY “TO MAKE SURE RACISM DOES NOT CREEP BACK IN. IF EVERYONE IN FOOTBALL PLAYS THEIR ROLE, THEN WE CAN EASILY CRUSH AND DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM.” PM David Cameron was being done to kick racism out of football. It revealed 92.7% of fans understand the aims and objectives of Kick It Out with 79.5% agreeing that the campaign has made a difference to tackling discrimination February signalled the start of a partnership THERE HAVE BEEN GREAT STRIDES MADE BY BOTH CHARITIES and improving equality in football. between Kick It Out and the north-east based education group Show Racism the OVER THE YEARS. THIS HAS ALLOWED US TO GET INTO THE The survey also found that 71% of supporters “ Red Card. The shared remit of both groups POSITION WHERE WE CAN NOW OPENLY DISCUSS RACISM. believe that discrimination in football is suggested closer collaboration could prove still a serious and widespread issue, yet helpful in the ongoing fight to keep THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE TAKE ON BOARD WHAT WE’RE SAYING, the Kick It Out brand is recognised by discrimination away from the game. To AND THE GOOD TURNOUT WE’VE HAD AT THIS EVENT IS AN 95.8% of football fans. that end, the ‘Working Together for Equality’ ENCOURAGING SIGN FOR THE FUTURE.” Luther Blissett Raj Chandarana, who leads the FSF’s conference held at Aston Villa's Villa Park work on diversity, commented: “This survey stadium was attended by the majority of highlights the importance of the work that professional clubs, from the Premier League, Kick It Out does in campaigning to eradicate the Championship, League One and League beneficial: “It’s really important to talk Kick It Out attended and contributed to discrimination in football at all levels. Two, who debated a range of issues related about the different issues surrounding the anti-racism summit called by PM David to equality and inclusion, and how both diversity with other clubs. It’s all about Cameron at No.10 Downing Street which “The FSF, as the leading voice of fans in organisations can work in tandem to partnerships. We’ve been able to have some was attended by governing bodies and all tiers of football, is committed to working help achieve goals around diversity. frank and open discussions, and it’s allowed players past and present, as well as the closely with Kick It Out to ensure that fans Notts County’s community liaison officer us to look into how we can work together DCMS Select Committee on the same play their part in ensuring that our national to convey a single, strong message.” topic in February and March respectively. game can be enjoyed by everyone.” and club nutritionist Matt Lawson was one delegate who found the workshops Kick It Out Annual Review 2011-12 7262_KIO_AR_AW_Layout 1 10/12/2012 12:45 Page 5 105 MENTORING AND LEADERSHIP PROJECT KICK IT OUT’S MENTORING AND LEADERSHIP PROJECT ENTERED ITS SECOND FULL YEAR IN JULY 2011. After initially taking charge of the Project potential pathways into the football WHEN YOU THINK from its inception in 2010, former England industry with key representatives international Earl Barrett stepped down from from various fields within the game. WHAT YOU’RE DOING the post to take up a full-time coaching role DOESN’T MATTER, THINK Keynote speakers included Heather “ at Stoke City. Troy Townsend, who has a wealth of managerial experience at Rabbatts CBE, the first woman to sit AGAIN. SOMEBODY IS non-league level, replaced Earl in May. on The FA board, who delivered an WATCHING YOU AND inspiring speech specifically covering Funded and supported by the Equality 2012 kicked off with a series of four training the topics of women and minorities WHAT YOU DO, AND and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), days, two in London City Hall, and one working in football, and Joyce Cook OBE, APPRECIATING WHAT the Project runs nationwide on a pan- each at the Osmani Trust and London chair of Level Playing Field, who spoke regional basis, and aims to identify and Metropolitan University.