Four schools attended a special event at Vitality Stadium this week ahead of this afternoon’s Rainbow Laces fixture.
Students from Iford Academy, The Blandford School, Broadstone Middle School, Glenmoor and Winton Academy visited the stadium to learn more about Stonewall’s long-standing campaign.
They took part in a workshop where they learned more about the LGBT community and how to be a good ally, before going on a tour of the stadium.
Jack and Keith from Proud Cherries attended to share their own experiences as members of the LGBT community within the world of football, discussing the amazing work the fan-led organisation do with Cherries supporters.
AFC Bournemouth defender Jack Stacey also made a surprise appearance to answer questions on how football has made progress towards making the dressing room a more inclusive environment.
Speaking to MATCHDAY after the event, Stacey said: “One of the things I love most about football is that players from all different backgrounds and cultures all come together to play the game, not only in the Premier League but all the way down to playing football for your local Sunday League team, to playing for your school team, to playing on the streets and I think it brings people together as a sport.
“I think football as a whole is progressing and its only with groups like Proud Cherries and campaigns like Rainbow Laces where it is going to become better. You’ve seen Jake Daniels, the Blackpool player, come out in the last year and the reaction to that has been mostly positive.”
Proud Cherries representative Cannon added: “When I first started watching football, there is nothing like there is today. It’s really amazing that AFC Bournemouth have facilitated this today with the kids because it is valuable, it’s really valuable.
“For all we know, there could be kids here today who are thinking they might need support and to know they’ve got the football club behind them as well, that’s huge.”
The event builds on the excellent work that the Community Sports Trust does in the local community enhancing inclusivity across Dorset.
Steve Cuss, head of the Community Sports Trust, said: “I’ve seen football develop in a way I didn’t think it could do, hosting an event like this at the stadium is something we’ve been doing for a little while now and it really is a welcome and inclusive environment for all.
“We’re finding that schools are changing and are being open about the conversations they have and children want to talk about the different topics we’re delivering on the Community Sports Trust programme.
“The Rainbow Laces campaign is one of those topics, the children were fully engaged and it was good to see.”
