Ireland Vs Czech game sees launch of FARE week

Announcement at Lansdowne Road-This Half- Time exhibition is a 7-a-side match between Under 13s from Bohemian FC and Drogheda United, as part of the FARE Fortnight of action. The teams consist of under 13s from local schools within Drogheda and Bohemians catchment areas.FARE – Football Against Racism in Europe is having a fortnight of action across all of Europe in association with UEFA from October 17th to 30th 2006.Purpose: Exhibition match is to highlight the work the eircom League is doing to encourage integration within their local communities, and to link clubs to schools, encouraging support and participation of all, in football.Football Against Racism in EuropeDuring FARE fortnight of action against racism in football, the FAI is calling on all of its clubs and associates to support this week of activity.Appropriately, the theme of this year’s FARE/ UEFA week of action is inclusion. We want people of all nationalities who live in Ireland to be part of Irish football.With our increasing migrant population, the FAI have appointed an Intercultural Officer to promote and support the participation of people of all cultures, in football within Ireland.Eircom LeagueWithin the eircom league already some good work is taking place to this effect. Eircom League clubs such as Drogheda United, Shamrock Rovers and Galway United have formed partnerships with Show Racism the Red Card to demonstrate their public commitment, while Bohemians have many activities organised and have translated their website into seven languages.In recent years, migrants new to our shores have formed their own teams.In Dun Laoghaire Town FC Mr. Luke Martin involves local youngsters and residents in an asylum centre in football, while the Polish Eagles have entered the Leinster Senior League with Mount Tallant.Gort for Brazil FC was formed by Brazilians with the support of locals to cater for some of the town’s sizeable Brazilian population.Somalians based in Dublin even have their own website www.somaliunitedfc.com.Bohemian FC fully recognises and embraces the role that Sport has to play in the integration of ethnic minority communities into a new and modern multi-cultural Irish society. Bohemian FC has gone to many lengths to welcome these people to Dalymount Park to come along and sample live professional football “on their doorstep”. They also emphasise the fact that there is professional football available to them in their new home and that it is on their doorstepDrogheda United FC has a close working relationship with various ethnic groups in Drogheda’s community. For every home match they supply 20-25 complimentary tickets to these communities.Drogheda United FC have set up a partnership with Show Racism the Red Card. At the start of the season, Show Racism the Red Card in association with Drogheda United FC, launched their campaign against racism in sport in United Park, with the people of Drogheda’s community from all walks of life.Drogheda United FC believes in working with all peoples in the community from grassroots to professional football for the good of football and sport.SARI – Sport Against Racism Ireland, have also done much work to encourage participation in Football from ethnic minorities, and all nationalities based here in Ireland. For example, this year so far, SARI hosted a 7-a-side World Cup in May with 32 countries competing, and their 10th Annual Soccerfest was held in September with 48 teams participating including a Womens Soccer Tournament.www.farenet.org