Swans Foundation's Premier League Primary Stars participants take part in Show Racism the Red Card stadium day
Swansea City AFC Foundation hosted a Show Racism the Red Card workshop at the Swansea.com Stadium to celebrate Black History Month as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme.
Participants from Gwyrosydd Primary School, Penllerager Primary School, and Ynysfach Primary School joined the Foundation at the Swansea.com Stadium, receiving a workshop from Show Racism the Red Card.
As part of the workshop, students took part in the Change Makers initiative ran by Show Racism the Red Card, encouraging young people to create ideas on how they can tackle racism, before pitching their ideas to a panel including head of foundation Paul France and club ambassador Lee Trundle.
Lauren Boyd lead the workshop at the Swansea.com Stadium and felt it was important to be sending this message to the young participants.
“Our month of action is in October and it’s about raising awareness of anti-racism in society and football,” said Boyd.
“As part of the day we put in place some of the ideas on how to be anti-racist and how we can make a difference in society.
“Sport is really powerful in the community, so having those voices and those role models is really important for tackling this and inspiring young people.”
Ceri Phillips, education manager at Swansea City Foundation, was delighted to be able to welcome young participants to the stadium and hoped the workshops would have a long term impact.
“We try and get the education on these topics into pupils at a young age,” said Phillips.
“The children have worked on projects throughout the day about tackling racism and it’s been a really impactful day.
“We want them to challenge racism and speak out when they encounter it and to educate their peers as well.
In addition to workshops, the students were also treated to a tour of the Swansea.com Stadium alongside Swansea City academy stars Billy Clarke, Callum Jones, and Milo Robinson.
Clarke was glad to see the young participants being taught about such important topics and felt it was important to educate them early on these issues.
“It’s very important to tell them when they are young because that’s when they are still learning,” said Clarke.
“It’s big for them to know that it is something that is still happening and it’s a big issue. Stuff like this will help massively.”