The Red Card initiative
Credit:
Last Wednesday afternoon, Show Racism the Red Card launched their programme of activities for
2010-11. I was asked to attend by Garrett Mullen who co-ordinates Show Racism the Red Card in
Ireland. I have been involved with Show Racism the Red Card ever since my days with Drogheda
United and it is always a pleasure and honour to help out in any way possible as it is a very worthy
cause and unfortunately, racism is something that I have firsthand experience of.
Before I continue, for those of you who are not too familiar with the Show Racism the Red Card organisation in Ireland, let me give you a very brief background. Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racist educational charity that aims to combat racism and educate young people about racism, integration and acceptance of all cultures and races.
Basically, through the use of sports such as the GAA, Football and Rugby and Irish professional sporting role models like Sean Og O hAilpin Joseph Ndo and Kevin Kilbane, the promotion of awareness and presenting an anti-racist message to young people and others is focused on.
So, back to the launching of activities for the calendar year, 2010-11. The launch took place in the superb Tallaght Stadium with kids from various local schools and cultural backgrounds attending. Some of the schools that attended included St Aidans Community School, Old Bawn Community School, St Dominics Secondary School and Castaheany Educate Together National School.
Representing the Airtricity League at the event was Fran Gavin, Ryan Guy, Aidan Price, Ollie Cahill and myself. There was even a V.I.P. guest in the figure of Mary White TD, Minister of State for Integration, Equality and Human Rights. She kindly took time out of her busy schedule and gave two very encouraging, motivational and inspiring speeches on the issues at hand.
Other guest speakers on the day were the US chargé d’affaires John Hennessey Niland, and Councillor Eamonn Maloney, Mayor of South Dublin County Council. Des Tomlinson who is Intercultural Co-ordinator of the FAI, also gave a speech and explained what the F.A.I hope to do to help for the upcoming year.
Some of the activities that were and are to be launched in the 2010-11 period include an Airtricity League Poster Campaign 2010; an activity with UEFA Football Against Racism in Europe Week 2010; a Creative Competition for 2011; Intercultural Summer Camps for 2011; and the launching of a new website.
The new website www.theredcard.ie was launched last Wednesday and I would encourage all to go on it and see what it is all about. Students from the University of Ulster Interactive Multimedia and Design Course came up with it and it is a truly magnificent piece of work, if I do say so myself!! It is thoroughly professional and covers all aspects of the Show Racism the Red Card initiative.
All in all, it was a great day and the launch proved a big success. The work being carried out by Garrett Mullen and co should be acknowledged and congratulated. I hope everyone involved keeps up the good work and the 2010-11 season is a winner for the campaign with everyone showing Racism the Red Card.
Before I finish up my article this week, I want to briefly touch on the news last week that a former manager of mine at Drogheda United, Paul Doolin, was installed as the new Ireland U’18 and U’19 manager.
No matter what you may think of him, and believe me I have had a few differences with him in the past, he is a winner and knows the game inside out. One trait that sometimes I hated was his honesty and the fact that he will tell you out straight what he thinks, no holds barred. However, as I have matured over the last few years, I have found that such a trait is hard to find these days so I have grown to admire such a quality.
He won numerous titles and accolades as a player and as a manager at Drogheda United so he knows what it takes to win. He is without doubt the best football coach I have worked with and I am sure he will be a success as he knows how to get the best out of his players. With that said, I would just like to wish Paul the very best of luck with it, it is a brilliant appointment by the F.A.I.
Before I continue, for those of you who are not too familiar with the Show Racism the Red Card organisation in Ireland, let me give you a very brief background. Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racist educational charity that aims to combat racism and educate young people about racism, integration and acceptance of all cultures and races.
Basically, through the use of sports such as the GAA, Football and Rugby and Irish professional sporting role models like Sean Og O hAilpin Joseph Ndo and Kevin Kilbane, the promotion of awareness and presenting an anti-racist message to young people and others is focused on.
So, back to the launching of activities for the calendar year, 2010-11. The launch took place in the superb Tallaght Stadium with kids from various local schools and cultural backgrounds attending. Some of the schools that attended included St Aidans Community School, Old Bawn Community School, St Dominics Secondary School and Castaheany Educate Together National School.
Representing the Airtricity League at the event was Fran Gavin, Ryan Guy, Aidan Price, Ollie Cahill and myself. There was even a V.I.P. guest in the figure of Mary White TD, Minister of State for Integration, Equality and Human Rights. She kindly took time out of her busy schedule and gave two very encouraging, motivational and inspiring speeches on the issues at hand.
Other guest speakers on the day were the US chargé d’affaires John Hennessey Niland, and Councillor Eamonn Maloney, Mayor of South Dublin County Council. Des Tomlinson who is Intercultural Co-ordinator of the FAI, also gave a speech and explained what the F.A.I hope to do to help for the upcoming year.
Some of the activities that were and are to be launched in the 2010-11 period include an Airtricity League Poster Campaign 2010; an activity with UEFA Football Against Racism in Europe Week 2010; a Creative Competition for 2011; Intercultural Summer Camps for 2011; and the launching of a new website.
The new website www.theredcard.ie was launched last Wednesday and I would encourage all to go on it and see what it is all about. Students from the University of Ulster Interactive Multimedia and Design Course came up with it and it is a truly magnificent piece of work, if I do say so myself!! It is thoroughly professional and covers all aspects of the Show Racism the Red Card initiative.
All in all, it was a great day and the launch proved a big success. The work being carried out by Garrett Mullen and co should be acknowledged and congratulated. I hope everyone involved keeps up the good work and the 2010-11 season is a winner for the campaign with everyone showing Racism the Red Card.
Before I finish up my article this week, I want to briefly touch on the news last week that a former manager of mine at Drogheda United, Paul Doolin, was installed as the new Ireland U’18 and U’19 manager.
No matter what you may think of him, and believe me I have had a few differences with him in the past, he is a winner and knows the game inside out. One trait that sometimes I hated was his honesty and the fact that he will tell you out straight what he thinks, no holds barred. However, as I have matured over the last few years, I have found that such a trait is hard to find these days so I have grown to admire such a quality.
He won numerous titles and accolades as a player and as a manager at Drogheda United so he knows what it takes to win. He is without doubt the best football coach I have worked with and I am sure he will be a success as he knows how to get the best out of his players. With that said, I would just like to wish Paul the very best of luck with it, it is a brilliant appointment by the F.A.I.
