Out of Africa: Young people score HLF grant to explore the history of African players in British football.

Young volunteers from Birmingham and Sandwell have scored nearly £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to research the impact of African players in British football since the 19th century.

The Centre Spot led project will focus on how football has raised the aspirations of young people and helped to tackle racism within the game.

The group of 14 -18 years old will try to shed light on the evolving history of African players in British football by carrying out print, photographic and film archive research at both the Premier League archive and the National Football Museum. In addition, they will interview and record the experiences of professional players, managers, coaches and fans.

The young volunteers will be trained in all aspects of delivering and managing the project, including oral history training, handling and interpreting archives, marketing, using creative media and more.

The project will culminate in the production of a documentary, a national touring exhibition and accompanying website. Further results will include materials such as ‘how to’ guides for use in schools to inspire other young people to tackle similar projects.

Manchester City player, Kolo Toure, and player at Arsenal between 2002-9; Ivory Coast international player and supporter of the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign* added his support:

“It is inspiring to see such young people take an interest in the contribution players from Africa have made to the British game. Organisations like Heritage Lottery Fund and Centre Spot play an important role in allowing young people to express themselves and the heritage we share. Football is a fantastic sport that brings people together and this marks a great opportunity to look at how African ambassadors of the game, both past and present, have played a crucial role in breaking down social and racial barriers. Thanks to the Professional Footballers’ Association for their help in making this happen”

Simone Pound, Senior Executive of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) added:

“I am delighted that the significant contribution made by African players in the English game will be acknowledged in this way. By engaging with young people to make the documentary we are assured a vital link in the legacy which assures our history underpins everything for their future."

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands Anne Jenkins said:

“This is an inspired and exemplary project by these young people. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to show a full historical picture of the experiences of African football players in British football and the changes they have contributed to over the last century.“

Leading the project, Manny Abbeyquaye, Director of Centre Spot, commented: -

“This is a really important funding for the project from HLF, without which this rich heritage might be lost. These ambassadors have distinguished themselves both on and off the pitch and become role models for many young people. They have broken down cultural, racial, and social barriers whist keeping their unique cultural heritage and identify intact"

The scheme will seek to share this heritage with the wider community, promoting inter-cultural dialogue and engage interest in the cultural heritage of the players and their cultural origins.

The scheme has full support from Oral historians, the Professional Football Association (PFA) and Lets Kick Racism Out of Football, and will run till October 2012.

For more info, go to our project website www.outofafricacampaign.co.uk You can also join us on facebook, or follow us on twitter

Centre Spot coaches and volunteers travelled to Ghana to distribute football boots and equipment to over 100 young people from deprived communities in Ghana.

The trip which was made possible through fundraising was part of Centre Spot's Shoot 4 Boots 4 Africa project. The visit saw Centre Spot coaches providing coaching sessions to young children, as well as a coaching workshops for local coaches.

"This trip has been a real eye opener for me. It has also been the most rewarding bit of coaching I have ever done" - Jonathan Hunter- Barrett, Centre Spot coach.

"It is amazing that these young children have very little, but yet they just get on with life, and always with a smile. I am really looking forward to coming back again to do some more" - Sinead Scot, Centre Spot coach.

Centre Spot will like to thank all those who helped with fundraising or donated their old football boots, and we look forward to going back to do some more.