Derby County stars discuss equality at local school

Friday 16 Oct 2015
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Ahead of their dedicated game this weekend, Derby County players Thomas Ince and Jake Buxton helped deliver an educational workshop at Merrill Academy alongside Rishi Jain, Kick It Out’s Football League Clubs Development Officer.

Rishi challenged the young people to think about what Kick It Out’s key messages of equality and inclusion mean, and how they can be applied at school or on the football pitch. The 30 pupils broke into small groups and discussed what racism and discrimination means, with the input of the players.

Michael Davie, Headteacher at Merrill Academy said: “Equality is at the forefront of what we do here.

“For the students to meet role models is fantastic and it helps build on our links with the local teams in the area, helping the students to become involved in sport at that level and seeing how it affects the lives of others is great.”

Thomas and Jake participated in a Question and Answer session where they spoke about their backgrounds and their form so far this season. They also offered advice to the young people, reminding them that although some of them may want to be footballers, it was just as important to continue to do their best at school.

Jake said: “The work that Kick It Out do is a big issue and what better place to start than local schools where young people look up to role models…. we are here to try and reinforce these key messages.

“Young people respond well to this message. Its small strides but we are making a difference. I think days like this where young people meet role models is great. The teachers are unbelievable but when they’re inspired by footballers or someone they look up to it helps them a little bit more.

“I learned a lot from today. It was a very good workshop and I’ll be taking some of it back with me too.”

Thomas said: ‘’Each generation has to improve the life they’re in, and it’s up to role models like us as footballers to conduct ourselves the best way we can on and off the pitch.

“When young people have role models and meet them it’s fantastic for them and for us. To get the opportunity to share knowledge and advice is great, because the teachers are great, but coming from someone they may have enjoyed watching is fantastic.”

Ince also addressed the incident from Serbia in 2012, where he was a victim of abuse: “The game needed to move on. The scenes that I experienced were crazy and in a funny way it’s an experience that I learned from and it was a big key lesson for me in life. Moving on now, I think it’s got 10 times better, with more severe punishments and that’s the right thing to do.”

Derby County’s game this weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers is one of five across the Football League to be dedicated to Kick It Out’s work.

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"We have a responsibility as players to give something back and I’m really thankful to be part of this organisation because we can do a lot of good."
Jack Butland, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“A big part of my involvement with Kick It Out stems from my strong admiration for the organisation’s commitment to fairness and equality.”
Clive Tyldesley, football commentator
“It was Kick It Out that convinced the people in football that change was possible.”
Greg Dyke, former FA chairman
“I wanted to thank the campaigners at Kick It Out for their work. I know first-hand how Kick It Out can help.”
Yaya Toure, Manchester City midfielder
“It is important for me in my role as a Kick It Out ‘Next 20’ ambassador to teach young people how to handle discrimination and treat people with respect.”
Romelu Lukaku, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“It is a massive honour for me to be an ambassador for such a great organisation. I think they do great work on and off the field.”
Toni Duggan, 'Next 20' Ambassador
"It really helped me to see that other professional sports people were acknowledging their sexuality. I read about John Amaechi, Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley. They weren't footballers but the fact that they went public gave me the feeling that I was not alone."
Thomas Hitzlsperger, former Aston Villa midfielder
"There was no conflict between religion and the fact that I wanted to play football. I was brought up correctly and in the right way and my parents are very proud of the fact that I am a professional footballer."
Sadio Mané, Liverpool winger
“I think it’s important to share success stories and realise that there are women operating in the game. If it’s something you want to do, you can do it.”
Ffion Eade, Hampshire FA referee
"I've had loads of negative comments from men, especially growing up. It's just boring and old. Times have changed, and they continue to change. Women play football, and they're good at it, and have been for a number of years.”
Kelly Smith, England Women's record goalscorer
"Despite the progress, stereotypes still exist in football and until that is broken down it will be extremely difficult for a woman to manage a top level men's team."
Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
"There’s no hiding that there is sexism in sport. We have a lack of women right across all levels of management, playing and coaching. It shows the closed nature of sport in general and this includes the media. It’s an indictment of sport as a whole."
Rimla Akhtar, Kick It Out trustee and Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
“I’m proud to be a supporter of Kick It Out and particularly the work they are doing to combat antisemitism within football.”
Joe Jacobson, Wycombe Wanderers midfielder
"With Kick It Out leading the way football is standing up and fighting against those who preach hatred and intolerance and we at Chelsea are proud to support their work."
Bruce Buck, Chelsea Football Club Chairman

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