Kick It Out fundraising evening raises awareness for Education Programme

Friday 19 Feb 2016
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Kick It Out hosted a successful fundraising and awareness evening at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night to expand the organisation’s Education Programme to tackle prejudice and hate incidents in football.

Guests were treated to performances from Ballet Black and the David Idowu Choir, while those in attendance dug deep for a raffle, featuring hospitality prizes for Wimbledon 2016 and Chelsea’s FA Cup tie v Manchester City, amongst others.

Following a speech from Lord Herman Ouseley, Kick It Out Chair, guests were shown a short film explaining the importance of education in tackling prejudice and hate in football.

Lord Ouseley commented: “Our awareness-raising event firstly put the considerable problem of prejudice and hate crime in football on the agenda, and secondly, allowed the organisation to build further partnerships to tackle the issue.

“The funds generated will help drive forward Kick It Out’s Education Programme and intensify efforts to promote education, personal development and community cohesion to current and future generations.

“Our thanks go to Chelsea FC for their co-operation in the build-up to the event and for being fantastic hosts, while we’d also like to show our gratitude to the evening’s sponsors, the Premier League.”

Here are the highlights from the evening:

Photograph courtesy of Royal Photographic Society

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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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