TIME FOR CHANGE – NOW!

An EGLSF funded Just a Ball Game? anti-homophobia in football exhibition project

Some background to the project: Founding director of Just A Ball Game? Lindsay England says: “We hope to make use of the wonderful and dynamic exhibition as part of our on-going campaign work to raise awareness around homophobia and help mainstream sport to be more inclusive of a number of diversity issues and help create a safe space for both LGBT people and those who are perceived to be ‘LGBT’ to achieve their potential.

The education element of this exhibition encourages an understanding of issued faced by LGBT people and at the same time highlights role models for a younger generation to aspire too. We at Just A Ball Game? would like to thank Alan Mercel-Sanca and the final year students of Bournemouth and Poole Collage for their inspiring efforts in the creation of these panels.”

● More than 2,000 visitors to the National Football Museum (Urbis Building, Manchester) were able to view the ‘Time for Change – Now!’ exhibition as part of LGBT History Month.

● The official launch of the exhibition tour held at the museum was attended by many VIP’s including senior officers from the PFA and Manchester FA and the museum curator

Outcomes and activities of the EGLSF-funded project:

● Over 400 red ribbons were handed out to fans and club staff at HYDE FC on World Aids Day.

● More than 400 red ribbons were handed out by AFC Rushden & Diamonds at their cup tie in the FA VASE.

● A significant donation was made to an HIV charity as part of the day’s events

● Over a thousand mainstream football fans from 3 blue square premier clubs in the UK and the clubs officials were present for the event days at HYDE FC

Outcomes and activities of the EGLSF-funded project

● Just a ball Game? under the banner of ‘Think Before you Chant!’ were guests and match ball sponsors for 2 games. This considerably raised the profile of our anti-homophobia campaign work

● The games also showcased the ‘Time 4 change –Now!’ exhibition. The first time this exhibition had been seen in a mainstream sports arena

● Requests have now been taken for the exhibition to be used at two more places for LGBT History Month next year

● The ‘Think Before You Chant!’ advert boards are now on permanent display at 2 non-league football clubs

● A ‘Time for Change-Now!’ anti-homophobia in sport exhibition will take place as part of LGBT History Month at the Borders College in Scotland

Other benefits of the TFCN! Just a Ball Game? EGLSF funded initiative include:

● Through the partnership extending JBG? outreach to support educational work to combat homophobic bullying in school sports

● Supportive work with a UK university sport faculty around an anti-homophobia in sport initiative

FURTHER INFORMATIONJust a Ball Game?

Website: justaballgame.co.uk Blog: http://justaballgame.blogspot.co.uk/

Time for Change – Now! Website:http://www.timeforchange-now.co.uk/

http://www.timeforchange-now.co.uk/Time_for_Change-Now_exhibition.htm

Supportive Word document appendices A and B