Millers back anti-racism campaign

Until October 26, the Millers will be busy in the community teaching young people the key themes of learning, understanding and respecting people from different backgrounds or who follow a different faith as part of Kick It Out's One Game, One Community initiative.

The Millers will be empowering young people to identify and challenge racist behaviour, whether this is in the playground or on the football pitch.

Cohesion Officer Mark Cummins said: "One Game, One Community is the entire ethos or the Millers' social cohesion work. We engage with thousands of young people from different backgrounds, getting them to work and play together. During these weeks of action we will be running educational workshops, trips and sports sessions."

The Millers' activities kicked off a few weeks ago with two football tournaments held on consecutive Saturdays. The New Arrivers' Cup gave youngsters from the new arriving communities the opportunity to play in a tournament at Aurora, Brinsworth.

The teams then went to Dinnington to play youngsters for the chance to win tickets to a Millers' game.

These tournaments alone saw over 100 young people playing football together.

Don Valley Stadium also hosted a Show Racism the Red Card conference last week, when around 200 young people came throughout the day to take part in sport sessions, listen to speakers and to watch the latest Show Racism the Red DVD, which has contributions from some of the greatest footballers from around Europe including Didier Drogba, Ryan Giggs, Samuel E'to and ex-England legend Gary Lineker.

Current Millers' player Exodus Geohagon and ex-professional Dean Gordon held a question and answer session along with Rotherham councillor Mahroof Hussain.

The Millers have a number of events coming up over the next month including art sessions at Rotherham Central Library on Saturdays, a trip to the Liverpool Slavery Museum and a football tournament for young children.

The club also recently started a new project funded by 'Stand Up, Speak Up,' which aims to work with young people to produce an anti-racism DVD by working with Rotherham theatre group 'Open Minds'.

Mark added: "This year's Weeks of Action events are fantastic—a great mix of education and sport using the power of football to bring people from different backgrounds together."

For more information on the Millers' anti-racism work contact Mark using [email protected] or ring 01709 827767.

War declared on hate and discrimination.