Changing the Game: Tackling Antisemitism in Football & Beyond

The month of September began started quickly for the Tackling Antisemitism in Sport project. We began with workshops firstly for the stewarding team at Stevenage Football Club, and were invited back the next day, to deliver a further workshop for their club and Foundation staff on the first Sunday and Monday of the month.

We then headed West to Bristol, where we delivered a workshop for the Gloucestershire County Football Association staff, and several members of their board and council. The session was well-attended by a very engaged group, some of whom had a prior in-depth knowledge of the Jewish sporting community.

Ben, our project manager, attended the Kick It Out 2030 strategy launch event with our CEO and our project partner, Lord Mann. The event was vibrant with great atmosphere, and it is a testament to the progress made by Maccabi GB in the football space that we were invited to such an event.

Our team was also been present at further launch events, with Joel, our new Project Coordinator, attending JLC’s first ‘Spark the Future’ event for young professionals hoping to inspire positive change in the Jewish community. Joel also attended Camp Simcha’s first young professionals’ event; One Heart: One Goal, hosted at Watford’s Vicarage Road Stadium, with the aim of spreading awareness about the vital work Camp Simcha does and demonstrating simple ways to make a big difference.

Further, we led a workshop at QPR’s training ground in Heston for their U15 boy’s academy squad. The players were very keen to get involved and listened attentively. We also delivered sessions at Birmingham City’s training ground for four of their academy groups, from U15 through to U18.

Lastly, towards the end of September, our project manager presented our programme to Millwall’s EDI working group and explore collaboration opportunities.