Four first team stars recently took part in a five-day anti-racism event at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Over the course of five days, 750 pupils from 13 local primary visited the home of the Wanderers to take part in workshops about cultural identity and hate crime delivered by Bolton Wanderers in the Community and the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity, Show Racism the Red Card.
Jack Iredale, Nathanael Ogbeta, Victor Adeboyejo and Jón Daði Böðvarsson joined the event and took part in guest panels alongside Bolton Wanderers Women’s players including Milla Hodson, Eleanor Seals, Laila Stanley and Lacey Taylor, as well as PFA representative and ex-South African international, Dean Furman.
Following the workshops and a tour of the stadium, the children discussed their learnings with the panels and had the opportunity to field their own questions about the subject of discrimination.
Wanderers’ Nathanael Ogbeta said: “When I was at primary school, I didn’t get this kind of exposure – the topic wasn’t spoken about too much. I like that from a young age they are getting exposed to difficult topics and the way the children responded was amazing.
“There was a good mix of nationalities and races there. No one was excluded, there seemed to be big togetherness and that’s really good.”
Teammate Jack Iredale added: “It’s been a really great event put on by the team. We listened to the schools and the classes talk through some problems you might face with racism and some ways you could combat that. It was a really great day.”
Ged Grebby, SRtRC Chief Executive said: “Show Racism the Red Card are delighted to partner with Bolton Wanderers in the Community during United Nations week of action again racism.
“This is the first time in the charity’s 28-year history spent with one football club over five days in a row, educating 750 young people. It is a great way to highlight the importance of the UN’s week, and particularly the UN’s anti-racism day on Thursday.
“Finally, thanks to all at Bolton Wanderers in the Community staff, young people and teachers from Bolton schools - in particular the players from the women and men’s teams who have and will attend this week.”
Lisa Simpson, Programme Lead (Education & Mentoring) at Bolton Wanderers in the Community said: “Hosting an anti-discrimination event in partnership with Show Racism the Red Card isn’t just about taking a stand against discrimination, it’s about fostering a community where diversity is celebrated, inclusion is embraced, and equality is non-negotiable.
“Together, we raise our voices to amplify the message: racism has no place in our society.”
To find out more about Show Racism the Red Card, click here.
To find out more about Bolton Wanderers in the Community, click here.