LOCALS had the opportunity to play against Fair Shot FC - a team of refugees and people seeking asylum - alongside a former Lioness at the weekend.
Fair Shot, supported by the Refugee Council, is a football campaign that partners with clubs up and down the country to unite fans around a shared goal of fairness and compassion for all.
Following Barnsley’s home fixture against Stevenage, a group of competition-winning fans played a friendly five-a-side match with Fair Shot players in a special session coached by former Lioness Jess Clarke.
Leanne Candler, inclusion officer at Barnsley FC Community Trust, said: “Fair Shot is a project that truly shows how football can give people a sense of connection and belonging.
“Football clubs are the beating heart of communities here in the UK - they bring people together on and off the pitch.
“That’s why Barnsley FC Community Trust has been working on inclusion projects like Reds Unite, so that football fans from all walks of life - including people in the asylum system - feel like they’re part of the family.”
Jess Clarke added: “Football has been truly transformative in my life.
” As a shy young girl, it helped me build resilience, skills, and a strong sense of identity. I know personally how football can foster change by uniting people, igniting motivation, and inspiring a belief that you can achieve anything, no matter the barriers.
“All of the Fair Shot players have endured real hardship, but when they step onto the pitch, they’re not just playing the game they love - they’re building relationships, finding family, and leaving their worries on the sidelines.”
