On Saturday at our home game against Rushall Olympic we are teaming up with Fans for Diversity.

The aim of the Fans for Diversity campaign is to support and empower people to enjoy a fantastic matchday experience – to overcome exclusion or a perception of exclusion, to engage clubs and other supporters to welcome those who might believe football is for ‘them’ not ‘me’.  We have been working with Corporation Road Primary School and Zak Ahmed at Babuls to make this matchday a special experience for those within the South Asian Community.

Zak says :“For South Asian youth, football is more than just a game, it's a beacon of hope, a symbol of resilience, and a powerful tool for breaking down barriers. Growing up, many of us faced a harsh reality, a lack of representation, limited opportunities, and a scarcity of role models who looked like us.

“Our parents, despite their unwavering support, often lacked the knowledge and resources to help us pursue our passion. But football remained a constant source of inspiration, a reminder that we too could achieve greatness.

“Today, football continues to unite our communities, bridging generations and cultures through a shared love of the beautiful game. It's a celebration of our heritage, a testament to our strength, and a declaration of our ambition. As we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable sport, we honour the struggles of our past, and we pave the way for a brighter future - one where every South Asian child can chase their dreams, without limits.”

On Saturday, the children will partake in the Matchday Experience of playing football on the pitch beforehand with our staff, receive Goodie Bags and take penalties at Half Time.  We thank Cllr Sajna Ali for using some of her Stronger Communities Fund for this event and we trust everyone will have a great day on Saturday.

You can read more about Fans for Diversity here:

https://thefsa.org.uk/our-work/fans-for-diversity/