17th February 2009 - Kick It Out @ Hayes End Community Centre

It was raining, it was dark and it was cold, but that didn't stop local kids in and Hayes End/Hillingdon to turn up on Tuesday, the 17th February as they have done for over a year to participate in the KICKS PROJECT. This is a local initiative between the Police and QPR football club to work with local kids, in particular, vulnerable kids to help them make more positive choices in life. The common bond is football and through that it is hoped kids will learn the social skills to fully participate when they are older.

The project has been hugely successful so far and it is not unusual to have up to 25 to 50 kids turn up for a game of footie.

And on this evening local kids from the area joined 91.8 Hayes FM, the local Police and QPR for a RECORDED DEBATE about RACISM IN FOOTBALL. It was part of the KICK RACISM OUT OF FOOTBALL project running across the country through the ONE GAME ONE COMMUNITY GRANT. Sergeant Simon Mapes, along with Police colleagues chaired the debate along with 10 local kids and representatives from the coaching staff at QPR. A range of questions were asked from what is racism, how racism affects people and action police take today in football grounds should a racial incident happen!!!

The whole debate was recorded for broadcast on 91.8 Hayes FM at a later date.

After the debate, lights were switched on and it was back to the businesses of playing the beautiful game!!