SAFC players join school children on Show Racism the Red Card workshop

Sunderland AFC players Jay Matete and Jenson Seelt visited the Beacon of Light ahead of Show Racism the Red Card’s ‘Wear Red Day’.

Wear Red Day is an annual campaign aiming to raise awareness of the ongoing issue of racism within society and the importance of calling out or reporting racist abuse when witnessing it.

This year, Wear Red Day takes place on Friday 20 October and ahead of the day, Matete and Seelt joined SAFC legends Gary Bennett and Kevin Ball alongside the Show Racism the Red Card team at a workshop delivered to primary school students at the Beacon of Light.

The students in attendance, from local primary schools on our Premier League Primary Stars programmes, were delighted to meet the SAFC stars as they learned more about racism and brainstormed anti-racism policies to present to their schools.

Reflecting on the event, Matete said: “These campaigns are really important to make the kids aware of racism and educate them from an early age.

“It’s important that they know what’s going on, who to speak to if they encounter a racist situation. These kind of workshops need to carry on and continue making kids aware.

“It was quite rare when I was younger, so seeing this now, it’s going in the right direction. If they keep doing these workshops regularly, it will really benefit the kids.

“It was enjoyable, there were a lot of bright students here. They are very aware of what’s going on which is really good.

“I enjoyed meeting them and speaking to them. They kind of made me learn a few things myself!”

Show Racism the Red Card utilises the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in their workshops and annual schools' competitions since the organisation’s inception in 1996.