Kit ‘em Out Winners Awarded

Friday 26 Jun 2015
Back to news >

Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion organisation, announced the winners of their Kit ‘Em Out challenge at the National Football Museum in Manchester on Wednesday 24 June.  

The competition, sponsored by BPP University, provided young people aged 5-18 with the opportunity to design a bespoke kit for their community, grassroots or school football team, which champions the spirit of their squad and promotes Kick It Out’s key messages of equality and inclusion.

The event was held to acknowledge the great designs that were received from all over the country, and to present the winners with their accolades.

Women’s Super League stars Isobel Christiansen and Bethany England presented the winners with certificates and Kick It Out goodie bags which were presented to the runners up in each of the five age categories, with additional prizes awarded to the category winners from the clubs they support.

Young people were invited to attend a mini-trail of the museum with special questions on diversity devised by Kick It Out’s Education Programme while Denise Lambert from the National Football Museum’s education team delivered a workshop to older children.

Invited guests, locals schools and visitors to the museum all enjoyed a performance of ‘Dare to Dream’ from Manchester based Choir, Every Colour.  The song can be downloaded for free from here.

Manchester City’s Isobel Christiansen and Doncaster Belle’s Bethany England, who both represent England at U23 level, presented the trophies to the top three winning designs and congratulated the overall competition winner.

Both players were enthused by the diversity of ideas presented by young people.  Bethany, who combines her playing career with her studies, said:

“Young people always have ideas, and this event brings them together and creates a good environment for young people and for them to see what they can achieve.  It’s tricky to balance studies and football. You have to know when you can train and when you have to take a step back because of exams and getting your priorities right.

“I’m quite organised so training is set, deadlines are set and try to work around the two. BPP have helped with studies and football. (BPP Vice Chancellor) Carl Lygo gave me lots of help and lecturers are always on hand. It’s a friendly and nice environment.  To make history, like England have done [in the Women’s World Cup] will hopefully give confidence to young footballers to do more.”

The winning entrant, who will have their kit produced by UK manufacturers Spall, was 15 year-old Lisa Barnard of Princes Risborough School, Buckinghamshire. Lisa’s entry was designed for her school team and she describes how she took inspiration from the school’s logo:

“I was very shocked to win. I wanted to include the school’s logo in the design and our school has a swan with chains on it. I’m hoping the school will be really proud to wear the kit. I saw the link on Twitter and went for it. I’m really into art design and sport so this competition was perfect for me!”

The kit will feature logos of both Kick It Out and BPP University. Hayley Bennett, Kick It Out’s Education Officer, was pleased that the work of young people was recognised:

“Events like Kit ‘em Out allows us as an organisation to highlight positivity in football, with young people and their creativity being the main driver in its success.

“Education is a really important part of Kick It Out, and for us to be able to engage young people in a fantastic setting like the National Football Museum is a really effective way to spread our key messages of equality and inclusion.”

Mark Griffiths, Operations Director at BPP University said:

“Equality and diversity is really important to what we do as a business. Kit ‘em Out is a really great fit for us with its work in the community. I feel privileged that we’ve been able to be a part of this initiative with Kick It Out and it’s great that the young people are so enthused to be part of such a meaningful campaign.”

Winners and runners up:

5-6 age category – Idris Sheikh

7-9 age category – Leah Bray

10-12 age category – Millie Smith

13-15 age category – Lisa Barnard

16-18 age category – Reece Evans

Overall Winner: Lisa Barnard

Overall 2nd place: Leah Bray

Overall 3rd place: Alexandria Noon

Report an incident of discrimination confidentiallymore >

 

  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
"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

Archives

  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010