SAFE Football Tournament

Raising awareness for supporting equality in Football. 

On Monday 16th October, Kingswood hosted the annual SAFE football tournament that is run by Avon and Somerset police. The event was started during Hate Crime Awareness Week last year, with aim to raise awareness about inequality in sports and the hate crimes that can affect certain minorities in sports. 

Girls from Wellsway School, Oldfield School and Ralph Allen School all attended the event to play in the tournament! Some fantastic games were played and the girls showed great sportsmanship throughout. At the end of the tournament, awards were presented to the winning teams. Afterwards, the women from Avon and Somerset police delivered a speech emphasising the importance of standing up against hate crimes in sports and not allowing anyone to hinder your participation in sports. One woman on the police force shared an inspiring story about her experience with gender discrimination during her youth as a football player. She recounted comments like 'Don't pass it to the girl.' Her speech had a profound impact on the girls. She concluded her speech stating that 'As women our successes have for to long been downplayed and prejudices of people have caused myself and others to feel less of a person or player due to gender or race. I cannot change the colour of my skin or my gender but we can make a change and take a stand against peoples behaviours and attitudes towards inclusivity and cohesion to drive hatred out.'

This left the girls with a powerful message, that we hope they carry with them in their  daily lives.