Luton charity uses football to educate children

Luton Tigers is dedicated to safeguarding children from racism, exclusion and radicalisation, and the club uses football to do this.

The club delivers workshops and one to one mentoring to primary and secondary schools in Luton, using creative techniques such as spoken word, drama and sport to tackle difficult issues that face hard-to-reach communities.

The aim is to use goal-setting and restorative practice techniques in order to safeguard young and vulnerable individuals from leading a destructive life.

Shaz Zaman, founding member and chief executive of Luton Tigers, he said: "Luton Tigers believes that learning something in a classroom can have a powerful impact but putting that learning into practice has more of an impact.

"The inclusive sports format mirrors the pathway to excellence for most sports, encouraging talent from people of all backgrounds to thrive, regardless of colour, religion or beliefs.

"Sport can be a force that unites people, but unfortunately can also be a focal point for division as has been shown by reports of increases in football hate crime.

"The inclusive sports format modifies inter school competitions that easily reinforce differences between competing schools from different communities. It’s important for sports to enable children to play with others that are different to them."

The inclusive sports competition was created to promote greater integration and inclusivity amongst young people.

Yousiff Meah, director of curriculum and business advisor for Luton Tigers, said: "The inclusive sports competition has initially involved four different primary schools, all of whom have been involved in the Luton Tigers curriculum it delivers in the schools.

"Some of the evaluation of its curriculum work has demonstrated remarkable results on children’s understanding and appreciation of diversity and also impacted on issues such as behaviour in school, and homework commotion rates – the children’s work and performances to parents has opened up discussion about such things as the impact of disturbances at home, bullying, racism and in some cases radicalisation.

"One individual, which Luton Tigers have worked with for over a year and showing concerning signs of being at risk of negative influences, after a year, the school reported he was a different person; the school had intended to put him in the school’s alternative provision but during the term the change in behaviour meant this was no longer needed.

"Part of the motivation for this was encouraged by the pupil’s agreement and desire to be involved in the work delivered by Luton Tigers."

The programme is currently limited to four schools but Luton Tigers are hoping to take it into more schools, reinforcing how sport can make a positive difference and unite people rather than divide.

For more information visit: www.lutontigers.co.uk.