Year 8 pupil Seb met Brighton & Hove Albion forward Femi Azeez and anti-racism campaigner Leroy Rosenior at a No Room for Racism workshop, and came away determined to be an ally to everyone.
Pupils in Sussex got the chance to hear first-hand what racism in football really looks like when Brighton & Hove Albion forward Femi Azeez and former West Ham United and Fulham striker Leroy Rosenior visited their school.
The No Room for Racism workshop was run by the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation as part of Premier League Inspires. Femi and Leroy answered pupils’ questions about allyship and awareness, and both spoke about the racist abuse they have faced during their careers. Leroy, who was awarded an MBE for his anti-racism campaigning, also told pupils how his teammates supported him.
Femi said: “Unfortunately, in today’s age, racism is still very prominent,” adding that visits like this are an important way of educating people.
Young reporter Seb, who is in Year 8, was there. Here’s what he had to say:
“At the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation workshop I learned about racism. Of course, I already knew a bit, but the workshop gave me insight into other people’s knowledge. I hadn’t really appreciated what other people experienced.
“Meeting Leroy, who had experienced racism, really shifted my perspective. I knew that racism was a problem, but I hadn’t met someone who had been verbally or physically abused because of the colour of their skin. And I hadn’t realised the extent of the problem, especially when Leroy played football. Nowadays, I know it is better but there are still massive issues.
“The No Room for Racism workshop also taught me about being an ally. This means supporting people who aren’t being treated right. I will try and be an ally to all people, no matter who they are.”
What is No Room for Racism?
No Room for Racism is the Premier League’s campaign to tackle discrimination and celebrate diversity in football. It started in 2019 and encourages everyone to challenge and report racism wherever they see it.
This season’s campaign launched on 16 October with a new film featuring players from all 20 Premier League clubs. Every Premier League match between 17 and 25 October is dedicated to No Room for Racism, during Black History Month. Brighton’s home game against Crystal Palace was the club’s No Room for Racism fixture.
Workshops like Seb’s are part of the Premier League’s work with schools. Free No Room for Racism education resources have already reached more than 510,000 children.
About Premier League Inspires
Premier League Inspires is a personal development programme for young people aged 11 to 18, created by the Premier League and professional football clubs. It is delivered mainly in secondary schools and pupil referral units by club community organisations such as the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation. Through group sessions, mentoring, workshops and social action projects, it helps young people build confidence and life skills and plan for their futures. Clubs across the Premier League and EFL deliver the programme, working with more than 1,000 secondary schools and alternative providers.
About Premier League Primary Stars
Premier League Primary Stars uses the appeal of football to inspire children aged 5 to 11 to learn, be active and develop important life skills. It offers free, curriculum-linked teaching resources, including the No Room for Racism collection, and is available to more than 19,000 primary schools across England and Wales. Over 83,000 teachers are registered with the programme. The newest No Room for Racism resource is The Power of Positive Voices, a free assembly in which Premier League players share their stories.
