Events

Birmingham City FC

06 March 2007

Another first for the campaign during the 2006-07 season was achieved at Birmingham City FC, our first event at St Andrew's Stadium. Just under 100 young people from four local schools attended this event to see a screening of the DVD and take part in a Question and Answer session. The club had given us The Gold Suite for the afternoon and all guests received refreshments on arrival and helped themselves to a selection of free SRTRC resources, including posters and magazines.

Before screening the DVD, Kim Burns, who was chairing the event, introduced the panel. Birmingham City FC player, Cameron Jerome, former Manchester City and Coventry City player, Dave Bennett, former Rangers, Aston Villa and Liverpool player, Mark Walters, former Fulham and Coventry player, Terry Angus and former Sunderland AFC and SRTRC's own, Gary Bennett. After the DVD, the young people had the opportunity to ask questions about racism to the panel. Birmingham City had kindly donated five pairs of tickets and a signed ball for the young people who asked the best questions during the session. There were some great questions and Gary had a tough time picking the winners, but when he did the young people who won had their photos taken with the assembled panel. Everyone who asked a question got an SRTRC wristband and at the end of the event the whole audience were able to get autographs from the panel.

This event was very enjoyable, featuring some great questions and hopefully the message the audience took away was extremely positive. SRTRC would like to thank Kim, Cameron, Dave, Mark, Terry and Gary for taking part and answering the questions so well. Thanks to Chivenor Primary School, Golden Hillock School, Marlborough Junior School and Starbank Primary School for sending groups of young people to the event. Our thanks also to Birmingham City FC for hosting the event, in particular Andy Maxey for his help in organising the room, refreshments, player appearance, tickets and AV equipment.