Racism gets the boot at Latics tournament

OLDHAM Athletic will host a community kickabout at their Hollinwood training ground in a bid to boot racism out of football.

In partnership with Oldham Race Equality Partnership (OREP) and E-ACT, sponsors of The Oldham Academy North, Oldham Athletic Community Trust and Integrated Youth Services will run the tournament on Sunday at Chapel Road.

Throughout the year, youngsters have been taking part in either Oldham Athletic’s Kickz and 3 v free schemes or Integrated Youth Services’ Youth Only Zones, that have been developed to target local areas and tackle anti-social behaviour.

Players will be coming from Chadderton, Coldhurst, Failsworth, Medlock Vale, Royton, Saddleworth and St Mary’s to take part.

Participants, aged 11 to 18, will take part in a seven-a-side football tournament aimed at boosting community cohesion as part of OREP’s No Place for Racism in Oldham campaign.

The main focus will be on fair play rather than winning and OREP and E-ACT have sponsored the trophies which will be given out to teams who show the best attitude and sportsmanship on the day.

Community trust inclusion and Kickz co-ordinator James Mwale said: “Tournaments such as this are a great way to get across various messages to young people.

“Using football to integrate people from varying diverse backgrounds has always proven to be successful.

“With the summer coming up we are all planning our activities to engage with young people across the borough.

“We will be using a World Cup theme for a borough-wide tournament and once again integrate the different communities in Oldham.”