Children to give racism the red card

Oct 18 2006 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

PRIMARY school children in Birmingham are to kick off their own anti-racism message with a specially themed football tournament tomorrow.

Pupils from seven schools are aiming to kick racism out of football by taking part in a five-a-side competition at Heart-lands High, in Nechells.

The youngsters, from schools in Shard End and Nechells, will also be waving anti-racism banners during the event.

Mixed teams consisting of Year 5 and 6 pupils from Ridpool Primary, Audley Primary and Timberley Primary in Shard End will travel to Heartlands High, in Great Francis Street, to compete with teams from schools in Nechells.

They are Nechells Primary, St Clement's Primary, St Vincent's Primary and St Matthew's Primary.

Zena Webber, the Nechells extended schools co-ordinator, said: "We wanted young people in the Nechells and Shard End areas to be able to get together and celebrate their different cultural backgrounds and, at the same time, get fit."

Coun Les Lawrence, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "Using the universal language of football is the perfect way to deliver the message that any form of racism is not acceptable."

* Have your say on this story at www.birminghammail.net/news/yoursay