Hampshire FAs Academy Celebrates Football VS Homophobia
The Hampshire FA Academy celebrated the Football V Homophobia campaign in February 2023, by dedicating the latest match against Chichester College to tackling Homophobia in the game and encouraging the young generations to be the change in football.
Football should be a place for everybody, regardless of sexuality, race, religion, or gender. There have been some clear improvements in our game, such as the recent events of Jakub Jankto becoming the highest-profile openly gay professional footballer, coming out earlier this month. Whilst his news was met with open arms from the footballing world, there is still so much work to do.
Our latest fixture against Chichester College at our Stoneham Lane Football Complex, was used to show our solidarity with the message that there is no room for homophobia in today’s game.
The Football V Homophobia campaign exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression at all levels in football.
The match started with a minute of silence along with a call for our young players to lead the way in creating an inclusive environment within our beautiful game, whilst rainbow laces were worn throughout the game.
Hampshire FA’s Community Engagement & Inclusion Officer Alienor Chartier said:
“I am extremely proud that the Hampshire FA Academy Students have taken the pledge to celebrate the Football v Homophobia Month of Action this year. Our Blue Team are playing a fixture dedicated to tackling Homophobia within the game and all our students are attending an in-house workshop which will increase their awareness on LGTBQ+ inclusion within football.
This activation is part of a wider campaign within Hampshire FA to make football more welcoming and accessible for all LGBTQ+ communities. We strongly believe that football is for everyone and that if we empower young people to use their voice, they can truly become leaders of change.”
Furthermore, the Hampshire FA Academy are also planning on delivering an in-house workshop for all our academy students & coaches around LGBTQ+ inclusion on the 14th of March 2023.
Love is Love. And there is no room for hate in football.
