In a collaboration between Amnesty International's ‘Football Welcomes’ initiative and Fulham FC Foundation, Fulham’s Refugee Kicks programme has hosted a number of events recently, promoting inclusivity and showcasing the footballing skills of our participants from a refugee and asylum seeker background.
In April, Fulham FC Foundation hosted an inaugural ‘Talent ID’ event for participants from our Refugee Kicks activities, providing these keen young footballers the platform to play in an 11-a-side tournament in front of coaches from local grassroots clubs at Fulham FC’s Training Ground in Motspur Park.
This Talent ID Tournament proved to be a resounding success, with a number of the footballers who took part progressing to teams at local grassroots football clubs for the upcoming season.
The event not only highlighted the footballing prowess of these individuals, but also underscored the transformative power of sports in fostering community and offering new opportunities for social integration.
"Football Welcomes is an essential initiative that brings attention to the positive impact football can have on refugees' lives. It’s about more than just the game; it's about creating a sense of belonging and providing a pathway for personal and professional growth. We are incredibly proud of the participants and their achievements." - Jonathan Langtree, Youth Engagement Officer, Fulham FC Foundation
In addition to the tournament, the Refugee Kicks programme lead also delivered a ‘Refugees in Football’ seminar to all staff at Fulham FC Foundation to increase awareness and deepen the understanding of the challenges faced by refugees, while also celebrating the role football can play in their integration.
A highlight of the seminar was a presentation by Da’aro Youth Project, a refugee support service and Refugee Kicks delivery partner, which detailed their work with refugees from the Eritrean community and the wide variety of services they provide for both newly arrived and more established refugees.
As Fulham’s Refugee Kicks programme continues to grow, with over 400 refugees and asylum seekers engaged in the programme over season 2023/24, the positive impact on the community becomes increasingly evident, with more participants finding their place in the world through the beautiful game.
For more information on Fulham Kicks and our various Refugee Kicks sessions across South-West London, please visit fulhamkicks.com.
