On 12th November, Saracens Foundation will be hosting a football tournament supported by Islamic Relief UK with inclusion at the heart of the pitch. The tournament will be a celebration of the Foundation’s Sporting Roots programme, which supports the physical, social and mental wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers in London.
On the day, 11 teams from seven different community organisations will compete in the football tournament. Also competing will be Sporting Roots FC, made up of sanctuary seekers who Saracens Foundation works with on a weekly basis through sport. These individuals come from numerous countries across the world but connect through the universal language of football.
The key to the football tournament is that numerous individuals from all walks of life will be competing together, with all statuses left at the door. Integration has been at the heart of the design of the day, focusing on breaking down barriers and bringing different aspects of the community together.
Abdulla Almamun, UK Programmes Manager, Islamic Relief UK says: “We’re so proud to support Saracens Foundation as a partner and think this football tournament is just such a fantastic initiative. We know how challenging life as a refugee can be from our extensive work in this area, from coping with trauma to the stressful process of applying for asylum, so to see Saracens Foundation create this tournament to support refugee’s mental health and wellbeing and give them some time to escape their worries is amazing. Sport can be such a unifying power, and we’re delighted to support Saracens Foundation in their initiative.”
Gill Thayne, Senior Area Manager, Saracens Foundation, says: “We are delighted to welcome so many organisations and individuals together through the power of football. We see first-hand how sport acts as a universal language, bringing people together from all backgrounds and cultures. Today’s tournament is about creating connections, celebrating diversity, and providing a positive space where people can come together regardless of the challenges they may have faced, creating lasting sporting memories as one community.”
Founded in 2000, Saracens Foundation uses sport, movement and mentorship to improve education, employability and health across North London. Sporting Roots shows what that means in practice: people arriving in a new country and finding friendship, confidence and a place in their new community through sport.
