‘Football People’ Tour Concludes in Style
It’s been a hectic two weeks for all involved with Nil by Mouth as they have taken their ‘Football People’
tour across the country promoting messages of tolerance and respect through football.
The tour concluded on Wednesday 18th October with a talk and penalty shoot at ‘Street Stuff’ at St Mirren FC in Paisley.
More than 50 budding footballers took part, learning more about how football can help bring people together before battling against each other to win a pair of tickets for the upcoming derby match with Morton. Nil by Mouth were blown away by the ambition and scale of Street Stuff which has to be one of the most impressive football inclusion projects in Scotland.
The week before the tour rolled into North Lanarkshire with another penalty kick competition between three of Nil by Mouth’s ‘Champion for Change’ award winning schools, Baird, St Helen’s and Condorrat Primaries. Pupils and staff joined the fun as part of their year long ‘ Condorrat Together ‘programme which brings children from different religious and cultural backgrounds together.
Earlier highlights included an unforgettable night with broadcasters Archie MacPherson, Annie McGuire and Daniel Gary Picture attached) at Partick Thistle FC discussing the highs and lows of being a football fan and providing the chance for the audience to find out more about the work of Nil by Mouth and the ‘Football People’ campaign.
The tour also visited Stirling, Gretna, Cambuslang, Galashiels, Airdrie and a special event at the Scottish Parliament discussing the introduction ‘UEFA’s Strict Liability principles into the Scottish Game to tackle sectarian and racist behaviour in grounds. It was clear from our visit to Holyrood that many MSPs are seriously considering supporting proposals to introduce Strict Liability into law next year and that there is a sense of momentum building behind the campaign.
The tour was made possible by a grant of £3,500 from the FARE Network which co-ordinates anti-discrimination work in football across the globe. It is predicted that over the fortnight more than 100,000 people will have taken part in ‘Football People’ related activity across 43 countries.
Nil by Mouth was delighted to participate in this fantastic transnational campaign and hundreds of players, fans and MSPs took part in the nine date tour. We look forward to continuing to support ‘Football People’ in the years ahead as we believe football really is a sport for everyone.
