Fair Shot is a football-powered campaign supported by the Refugee Council and Sport Relief…
Roman Kemp met Fair Shot FC, a football team who have been brought together as part a Fair Shot campaign, supported by Refugee Council and Sport Relief funding. The visit is featured in a film released today.
Roman Kemp:
“Visiting Fair Shot has been a truly powerful experience. Football has always been the one place I can always go to where I feel comfortable. When you’re on that pitch, it’s not about where anyone is from, or what their background is, because you are part of this community that’s out there playing together.
“Hearing their stories and watching how the sport helps them find community after such difficult journeys was inspiring. It reminded me just how much football can bring people together, and I’m proud to support a project that’s making such a genuine impact.”
During his visit, Roman joined the team, who is made up of refugees and people seeking asylum, to understand more about their experiences and how they have come together through their shared love of the beautiful game.
As part of the Fair Shot campaign, which is supported by Refugee Council and Sport Relief funding, Roman joined the team to enjoy a game of football before sitting down to chat about their experiences and the role the game has played in their lives. Some of those powerful conversations have been captured in a new film.
The Fair Shot FC squad is made up of players from Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Namibia, Senegal, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria and The Gambia. Each player on the team has fled their home countries due to conflict and/or persecution. They told Roman how Fair Shot FC has helped them all to find a safe space, and build friendships, through their shared love of football.
Roman listened to their personal experiences as they shared the pitch during a kickaround, and also reflected on his own personal experiences of using football to support his mental health during difficult times.
This season, Fair Shot has partnered with clubs across English football including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United and Preston North End. Throughout the season Fair Shot FC will travel the country to each of the partnered teams to take part in friendly 5-a-side matches and other challenges with fans of each club. The campaign aims to grow a football movement that unites fans all over the country towards a goal of fairness and compassion for all.
To watch the full film of Roman’s visit to Fair Shot FC, visit Comic Relief’s YouTube channel here.
