Project to help refugees play football relaunched

Unite Through Football: Refugees project relaunched for a second successive season on Monday

A project to help enable refugees play football has been relaunched by the Surrey Football Association.

The project, titled Unite Through Football: Refugees, provides an opportunity for men and women across the south-east of England to play football and connect with local communities.

More than 200 players from 35 different countries took part in last year’s inaugural scheme.

Surrey FA chief executive, Sally Lockyer, said the project boosted the refugees’ physical and mental health.

The league format of the project sees monthly fixtures being played, and provides kits, boots and prayer facilities to players.

'Hugely important'

At a launch event at Meadowbank Football Ground in Dorking, Ms Lockyer said: "We’ve seen a growing population of refugees within the South East, and we want to create opportunities for them to play football, boost their mental health and connect with the local community.

“Not only does the project help them to build positive relationships within their local community, but it also provides structure, support and social opportunities, which are hugely important for people who have been displaced, often in very traumatic circumstances."

The scheme was first launched in September last year in collaboration with accommodation provider SBHL and Surrey Police.

Anwar Uddin MBE, diversity and inclusion manager at the FA and former professional footballer, said: "It’s wonderful to witness the sustained success of the project, enabling it to offer football opportunities to the refugee community for a second consecutive season.

“These sessions play a crucial role in fostering integration between the participants and the wider community, while providing activities that positively impact their mental and physical wellbeing."