England boss and TV personality Manish Bhasin among guests at Leicester City’s King Power stadium
GMB and England manager Gareth Southgate are helping to honour winners of Show Racism the Red Card’s School Competition Awards.
The ceremony takes place today at the King Power Stadium, home of reigning Premier League Champions Leicester City Football Club.
The 17th annual event will see a host of former and current professional footballers present prizes to young people for their creative ideas on how to fight racism in football.
GMB is delighted to be sponsoring the Show Racism the Red Card School Competition. Our congratulations go to everyone who has taken part and especially those who have made it through to the awards ceremony.
Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary
First team players from Leicester City will be on hand to take part in the celebrations, alongside TV personality Manish Bhasin, former professional footballer Paul Davis and Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Chief Executive Gordon Taylor OBE.
Mr Taylor will select one of the winning entries to receive the special Graham Taylor OBE Memorial Award, commissioned for the first time this year in memory of the late Watford and England manager who was a patron of the charity for many years.
A second winning entry will be recognised in a unique way with the Jo Cox Memorial Award, to be selected by Iona Lawrence, Director of the Jo Cox Foundation.
The awards themes of equality and togetherness are mirrored and supported by the Foundation.
Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary, said:
“GMB is delighted to be sponsoring the Show Racism the Red Card School Competition.
“Our congratulations go to everyone who has taken part and especially those who have made it through to the awards ceremony.
"Show Racism the Red Card provides a terrific platform for young people to get involved in a creative and meaningful way.
"Well done to all.”
Ged Grebby, Show Racism the Red Card's Chief Executive, said:
"It is fantastic that Leicester City Football Club have agreed to host this year’s School Competition Award Ceremony.
“The club’s achievements last season were an inspiration to so many people, and we hope that the winning entries from this year’s anti-racism competition will also inspire people from across the UK and beyond.’’
“The competition sees thousands of young people take part annually and it is a hard job for the judges to pick the winners from so many great entries.
This event is a fantastic example of the hard work and commitment of thousands of young people and the enthusiasm the SRtRC campaign inspires.
Ged Grebby, Show Racism the Red Card's Chief Executive
"This year there were some wonderfully original entries and we would like to thank all of the teachers for promoting the competition in their schools.”
“SRtRC would also like to congratulate all the winners of the 2017 School Competition on their achievement.
“This event is a fantastic example of the hard work and commitment of thousands of young people and the enthusiasm the SRtRC campaign inspires.
“Our colleagues and sponsors as ever have been very generous in their continued support and backing of the event.”