Saturday's fixture part of the Season Of Action campaign
SATURDAY'S game against Dartford is the U's dedicated One Game, One Community Season of Action fixture.The Season of Action is an initiative run by Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign, bringing together people from every level of the game to promote the importance of diversity.
“Kick it Out” (KiO), established in 1997 and emerging out of the “Kick Racism out of Football” initiative which itself began in 1993. KiO aims to tackle the six areas of diversity - Race, Religion, Age, Gender, Disability and Sexual Orientation.
As part of this on-going campaign, we are working with the Cambridgeshire Celebrates Age partnership to promote the work of the club in relations to Older People. We hold a monthly Seniors lunch; a weekly exercise class with our personal trainer, Aiden is also happening; our scholars recently visited the care home Bramley Court in Histon; and there are a number of local organisations and charities that are increasingly aware of what the club can offer.
We have also had contact with Eddie Stadnik, Chief Officer for Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum. We linked with Eddie a couple of years back and he has kindly let all the groups they are in touch with in the city know about the club and our desire to make the club accessible to all. We are also in conversation with Cambridge City Council’s Sports Development team and trying to support them with some of their football projects with ethnic groups.
Another group we have had contact with again this year, following on from past links, is the charity SexYOUality, a charity seeking to support Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender people and young people.
Making the R Costings Abbey Stadium a place that is welcoming to all, inclusive and supportive is our aim; making CUFC a football club that not only supports KiO in word but also in action.
As part of our work in primary schools across Cambridgeshire and with local Colts and Mini League clubs, over 600 children and families are joining us today in the South Stand. U’s players and coaches have been working closely within primary schools and with local junior clubs to help spread the KiO message.
Cambridge United take a zero tolerance approach towards any form of discrimination and endorse Kick It Out's message to make football available to all.
If you would like to help us achieve this aim, why not get in touch with Stuart Wood (Club Chaplain) on Stuart@barnwellbaptistchurch.org.uk