JBG? 9th Birthday Celebrations.

                         JBG? 9th Birthday Celebrations.

             HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY JUST S BALL GAME?

Following on from planned 9^th birthday celebrations JUST A BALL GAME? extended events to a whole week so as to enable our friends and partners to participate alongside our committee members and volunteers.

We are therefore happy to report that the following 9 events took place headed up by JBG? and also the two LGBT+ fan groups of Bradford City and England Lionesses whom we project mange.

No1.

We travelled to London and held meetings with both new and existing partners to arrange events for February 2020 as part of LGBT History Month.

No2.

We attended the Underground Fan club Lucozade event which was a warm for fans and media folks from within the women’s game prior to the international friendly next day.

No3.

We had a meeting with Skye Stewart chair person of Black Country Fusion FC, handing over some training bibs for the ladies team and we are proud to announce that Skye also agreed to come on board with JBG? in a more official role as our second trustee/ambassador.

No4.

We held our 9^th birthday party in the Premier Inn Wembley Stadium (a hotel we often use or recommend for folks who need accommodation in the North London area) complete with cake, party bags and refreshments for our friends and volunteers, and we had space to showcase our resources and banners to the general public using the hotel.

No5.

We had the pleasure of being joined by GMB trade union’s National President Barbara Plant who is one of our JBG? patrons , and on our behalf kindly made a presentation to Skye Stewart in recognition of the LGBT+ inclusion work done by Black Country Fusion FC. Each year we thank an individual, team/club or group or organization who have helped us challenge homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying and this year JBG? presented the silver salver to Skye for the tremendous work done by everyone at the club in grass roots football and beyond.

No.6

We took several GMB trade union members who are LGBT+ to the England Lionesses game at Wembley stadium thanking them for their support as members of LGBT Lionesses fan group which JBG? project manage. A great day was had by all and we accommodated our disability members and had a presence inside the stadium with numerous LGBT+ inclusive flags and banners while cheering the team for the historic match.

No7.

We presented the new kit to our JBG? ladies 5’s team who play Tuesday evenings at Goals Manchester.

No8.

We thanked GMB North West & Irish trade union for their funding over the past 12 months which enabled us to continue with much needed educational sessions, attend meetings and conferences, local pride events and also replenish some of our stocks of resources when we presented framed JBG? football shirts to the Regional Secretary Paul McCarthy and Equality Officer Lisa Ryan.

No9.

We celebrated our birthday during weekend long working group meetings in Bremen Germany with our partners from Queer Football Fanclubs. Our project managed Bradford City LGBT fan group are members of QFF and JBG? have partnered and supported the European network of fan clubs for over a decade.

A fantastic year and we are already looking forward to and planning for 2020 celebrations!

Best wishes, team JBG?

                             no10. recognition for JUST A BALL GAME? founder.

 

Here at JUST A BALL GAME? we are very proud to announce that our founder LINDSAY ENGLAND has been given a POINTS OF LIGHT award from British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.

Below is the media release from no10.

 

 Prime Minister's Office
10 Downing Street   

  

                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Just A Ball Game?

1182. Lindsay England

Lindsay England, originally from Bradford and living in Manchester, is the founder of ‘Just a Ball Game?’, an LGBT+ organisation campaigning to kick homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse and discrimination out of sport.

Lindsay, a lifelong Bradford City FC fan, originally started the organisation as a blog and then as a campaign organisation, which also project manages a women’s Futsal /5-a-side team locally in Manchester and the Bradford City LGBT+ Fan Group, a hub for LGBT+ supporters and non LGBT+ allies which aims to provide a safe space for fans and encourage greater inclusion in football and other sports.
 ‘Just a Ball Game?’ has since grown, aiming to raise the profile of LGBT+ people in sport and working with clubs and organisations at local and national level to promote inclusion. 

This work has included partnerships with ‘Kick It Out’, the anti-discrimination in football campaign, and the Home Office to issue LGBT-inclusive advice to match-day stewards. Lindsay has also worked with the TUC to design a toolkit for union officials offering practical advice on tackling homophobia at club level, and with the FA to host a conference at Wembley earlier this year discussing the most pressing issues facing the LGBT+ community in football.



In a personal letter to Lindsay, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Through ‘Just a Ball Game?’, you are sharing a powerful message of inclusion and equality for LGBT people in sport. Nobody should feel excluded from a sport that they love and your commitment to eradicating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is truly remarkable. I wish you the very best in your continued work.”

Lindsay said:
“Just a Ball Game? Was founded in 2010 because I wanted to be able to make a difference. The recognition through a Points of Light award is testimony to the hard work and dedication volunteers achieve when they are given support on their journey.
“Today’s LGBT+ celebrations are tomorrow’s LGBT+ history.”


JBG? website:  http://www.justaballgame.co.uk/

JUST A BALL GAME? #STRONGERTOGETHER SEMINAR.

                                                

                        #STRONGERTOGETHER- WEMBLEY STADIUM    

On Tuesday 5^th February JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) held #StrongerTogether their first ever seminar, as part of LGBT History Month 2019 celebrations. 

The event was hosted by The FA, whose chairman Greg Clarke mixed with delegates and the day was supported by UCFB, GMB Trade Union, KICK IT OUT (FFD), The Professional Footballers’ Association,and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Over ninety people gathered to hear speakers and guest panellists from a wide sector, all who had partnered with JBG? over the previous eight years. 

Two of JBG?’s patrons Adam McCabe and Neville Southall were speakers alongside former Women’s Football Association‘s Patricia Gregory, Bradford Labour councillor Richard Dunbar and Merseyside Police ACC, Julie Cooke, while K2 Collective provided the ‘half time’ entertainment.

One of the events presenters’ actor Kieran Hardcastle said, "The #StrongerTogether event provided a long overdue opportunity for key voices up and down the country to discuss pressing issues from the LGBT+ community, against the backdrop of the home of football, Wembley Stadium.”

“It is absolutely imperative that this wonderful forum of individuals, groups and associations continue to work and expand with JBG? and alongside each other, helping to nurture and develop the key messages of education and visibility. After-all continued visibility could eventually lead to a normalised culture for those that are not a part of it, and normalisation in turn starts to play a part in the way of acceptance. I look forward to seeing this implemented from the top down."

“Attending the Just a ball game? (JBG?) #StrongerTogether conference, was both inspiring and educational. With panel discussions, breakout sessions and numerous remarkable speakers the day really was one I’m glad I didn’t miss. It was quite evident early on that the #StrongerTogether theme was important, at a time when the country feels so divided.

Although the day was peppered with well known faces from the world of sport, my personal highlights were the talks from Merseyside Police Sgt Christian Owens, whose story of his transition offered an insight into life as a LGBT+ Police officer and was both inspiring and tear jerking.” Steve -Notts County’s LGBT Pies.

Alan Mercel-Sanca, JBG? Male Co-Chair, has this to say, “Our JBG? #StrongerTogether event will be seen as a turning point in the UK in sport and beyond where partnerships of dynamic kinds developed or became further consolidated. The spirit of the event was a 'can do, will do' one in which realisation of building a strong thriving inclusive society in which prejudice and its evils have a real sell by date coming, manifested through the realisation that this is only possible through the vision and character of real meaningful partnerships making us all- LGBT+, Allies, BME, #StrongerTogether! “ 

“The passion, the collective wisdom, expertise of all attending or speaking at this exceptional event was inspiring, and totally rooted in practical solutions, focus, real partnerships, not tokenistic ones, - JBG? #StrongerTogether sets the pattern for meaningful change. On that thousands upon thousands who could not attend or who were unaware of the event, will look back later with thanks and admiration for what was achieved on 5^th Feb 2019! “

End.

PROGRAMME NOTES (which did not make print) by our patron EDWARD LORD

 

Inclusion in Football: Fans must demand better of the FA

 

On the eve of one of the most important days in the history of women’s football in England, the game’s governing body is yet again mired in a discrimination related scandal. A Championship club chairman is facing an investigation for making racist and antisemitic statements whilst defending his decision to appoint Malky Mackay, a manager already under review by the FA for his own sexist, racist, homophobic, and antisemitic remarks in emails and text messages.
The question is, will the FA find the courage to take action in these cases or will they, once again, fail to tackle misconduct on the part of senior figures in the game?
In the programme for tomorrow morning’s ‘Just a Ball Game’? England Fans FC match, ahead of the England v Germany women’s fixture at Wembley, I have written on the need for football supporters to speak out and demand that the Football Association charge everyone, including leaders at club, league or FA level, who commits discriminatory misconduct.

“As a Patron of ‘Just a Ball Game’? it is a privilege to have been invited to join you at this fans’ match before today’s historic game at Wembley, the first time that England Women have been allowed to play on the hallowed turf of our national stadium.
My own current involvement in football administration came partly as a result of following the GB women’s team at each of their fixtures during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Throughout that tournament I pestered the FA’s then chairman and chief executive to build the momentum created around the women’s game in the Olympics, including holding a follow-up England match at Wembley.
Whilst it has taken over two years since London 2012 to bring about this momentous day, the FA has made some significant steps to enhance the women’s game, including significant new investment through the Game Changer strategy. That has brought about greater media and commercial presence both through and beyond the Women’s Super League. The leadership of FA National Game Director Kelly Simmons and her colleagues and their determination to build up women’s football in England deserves our thanks and congratulations.
Unfortunately though, the FA’s commitment to women in football has fallen short in certain areas, as I have had to point out repeatedly in the media this year. Sexism still exists at the highest level in football and the FA as regulator seems incapable of addressing that, let alone the racism or anti-LGBT discrimination that remains highly prevalent in our sport. There is absolutely no excuse not to charge a senior FA or league official with bringing the game into disrepute when they are sexist, racist, or homophobic. Anyone who commits discriminatory misconduct should face disciplinary sanctions, not just easy targets like players and coaches.
As football fans, we should all demand better of the Football Association. Whether you are a woman, a disabled person, part of the LGBT community, someone who is black or asian, or simply an ally of diversity, use your voice to call on the FA to effectively tackle discrimination in the game. Write to Greg Dyke the FA Chairman or to your County FA representative on the FA Council, petitioning them to respond properly when senior figures in football misbehave.
Football is our game, our passion, and an important part of all of our lives. Let’s be clear with those who administer the game that we won’t tolerate intolerance or discrimination. Let’s celebrate diversity and cheer on our teams at today’s matches.”

I encourage everyone who cares about making football truly inclusive to email Greg Dyke on chairman@thefa.com, demanding that the FA tackles prejudice at every level of the game.
Edward Lord is Chair of the London FA Inclusion Advisory Group, a Patron of LGBT  football campaign ‘Just a Ball Game’?, a Stonewall Ambassador and Role Model, and a former member of the Football Association’s Inclusion Advisory Board.