Ledley King and Jerry Azumah promote the importance of allyship and diversity in a Q&A with local schoolchildre
The Premer League recently joined forces with Tottenham Hotspur and the NFL’s Chicago Bears, to host an educational event for primary schoolchildren, focusing on the League’s No Room For Racism initiative.
30 enthusiastic Year 5 students from Lea Valley Primary School in Tottenham took part in an engaging Q&A session in the Press Auditorium at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, mirroring the excitement of football press conference.
The children had the incredible opportunity to ask questions to Spurs legend Ledley King and former Chicago Bears player Jerry Azumah.
Their insightful discussions centred on the power of allyship, the value of celebrating differences, and the vital importance of speaking out against racism, empowering the young audience to make a positive difference in their own communities.
The event followed interactive workshops where the students explored the significance of diversity in sports and learned how to be allies in combating racism, utilising the Premier League Primary Stars resources.
Premier League Primary Stars inspires children to learn through the power of football in over 19,000 primary schools across England and Wales.
The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has worked with 14 primary schools in Haringey and Enfield, including Lea Valley, to engage and inspire both students and teachers through their passion for football while promoting the values of the Premier League.
One of the Lea Valley students, nine-year-old Romero, shared his thoughts on the event: “my favourite part of today was meeting Jerry and Ledley, but at the same time we learned a lot about No Room For Racism. I learned that we should always be available to help anyone who is facing discrimination in life. If anyone is facing racist comments, the first thing you should do is go over and ask if they’re okay.”
Ledley King emphasised the importance of such initiatives, stating: “today has been a great way to mark the Premier League’s No Room For Racism initiative. It is important as former athletes that we use our voice to promote a more tolerant and inclusive world, and I was delighted to share a platform with Jerry to discuss this topic as well as our own experiences with the students.”
Jerry Azumah shared his perspective, noting: “When I started to play organised sports, I was mindful of racism, while also feeling welcomed because of the melting pot that I witnessed when I started playing American football. By the time I came to the NFL, I wanted to be great on the field so I could use my platform when I retired in support of social justice issues. As we celebrate Black History Month and the diversity strides made in sports, I am happy to play a small part today, on behalf of my former team, the Chicago Bears, speaking about the importance of challenging racism.”
Azumah also stressed the significance of these events for young people and the critical role of education, “events like this need to continue. Kids are looking up to us and we have that responsibility. It is always good to have them ask those question and really get a sense of a community, that they are not alone and people are around that care and will support them.”
The No Room For Racism initiative will be highlighted during Premier League matches from 19-27 October, coinciding with the UK’s Black History Month, which this year focuses on “Reclaiming Narratives” to celebrate Black stories and culture.
The initiative encapsulates the Premier League’s ongoing efforts to combat discrimination and promote equality.
In February 2021, the League introduced the No Room For Racism Action Plan, which outlines commitments to enhance diversity and inclusion within the sport.
In April, a three-year update showed the progress being made and work carried out year-round. This includes action against racism, as well as improving pathways for players, coaches and others working in football from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Andrew Wands, Education Manager at Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for the event, saying, “it was fantastic to be able to put this event on today and see the children so engaged. Premier League Primary Stars is all about using the appeal of football to inspire schoolchildren around the League’s values, such as equality and diversity, and the children loved the opportunity to put questions on this topic to two legends in Ledley and Jerry.”
Micaeh Johnson, Director of Corporate Communications at the Chicago Bears, added, “Chicago Bears care deeply about their local community and fan base, so when coming to the UK it was important to continue the work to inspire positive change. Chicago Bears run similar education-based programmes in the United States, so the collaboration with the Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur was the perfect opportunity in Haringey to continue the discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion.”
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