NEWPORT COUNTY AFC STANDS WITH REFUGEES DURING AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL UK’S FOOTBALL WELCOMES MONTH
Clubs across the UK join Amnesty’s Football Welcomes campaign to show solidarity with those who have fled conflict and persecution.
Newport County AFC is joining football clubs across the country this April to welcome refugees and people seeking asylum, as Amnesty International’s Football Welcomes campaign returns for its sixth year.
'Football Welcomes', which is supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, celebrates the role football can play in bringing people together with the aim of creating more welcoming communities for refugees.
This year, 'Football Welcomes' comes as the UK government prepares to enact its new immigration bill to permanently exclude people who seek asylum in the UK from receiving any protection here.
Norman Parselle from County in the Community said:
“Newport County AFC prides itself on being a community club so it’s vital all areas of the club engage with our fans/ community. In the last 10 years the Newport County players have been incredible in supporting its charity, County in the Community and engaging with all projects and programmes.”
Newport County AFC is one of many clubs from across the Premier League, English Football League, FA Women’s Super League, Championship and National League, Cymru North and South, and grassroots teams that have signed up to take part in Football Welcomes.
To show their support for people seeking asylum, participating clubs have hosted a range football-based events including training sessions, matches or stadium tours for refugees. Some clubs are incorporating learning about refugee rights in their work with schools, while others are helping to raise awareness online.
Naomi Westland, Head of Football Welcomes at Amnesty International UK, said:
“The UK immigration bill shines a light that more must be done to protect people who have fled conflict and persecution by creating more welcoming communities. Now more than ever we need to show support to and solidarity with refugees and Football Welcomes is a great initiative to do this.”
“It’s heartening to see clubs like Newport County AFC using football as a powerful force for good, bringing people together and a providing a sense of belonging.
“With the support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Amnesty will continue to welcome refugees alongside football clubs across the country to show there is more that unites us than divides us.”
On the 18th April for our fixture against Mansfield we welcome a group of young men we have worked closely with in recent months to play some friendly football at Rodney Parade before the match, watch the first half of the fixture against Mansfield and then at half time they will then pray and break-fast with some food and then re-join to watch the remainder of the match.
We look forward to welcoming them to Rodney Parade once again on Tuesday. The young men love football and are supported by Chloe Willmott and her team at Newport City Council, we at County in the Community deliver Premier League Kicks sessions on a regular basis for the group at Pill Millennium Centre.