The Loughborough based Global All-Stars recently returned to Glen Parva Young Offender Institution in Leicestershire for a second football match against the prisoners and staff. The game was a celebration of the good work that the All-Stars and Glen Parva have done on tackling racism, and following the match there was a debate on community cohesion.

The match was the latest success for the Global All Stars, a team created by Sports-Link, a Sport England funded project based at Charnwood Arts, and Leicestershire County Council’s Youth Service, who are working in partnership to promote community cohesion through the creation of the 'world united' football team.

The team is made up of players living in Loughborough, but originate from countries including Albania, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran, Kosovo, Somalia, Syria and the UK. It is envisaged that the team will promote cohesion and fair play, fight racism and prejudice, celebrate cultural diversity and differences, but also have fun playing football matches locally, regionally and nationally.

The Global All-stars played their first match in December 2004 against the Leicestershire Constabulary and have since played several matches, including winning a tournament at the YMCA in Leicester.

One of the All-Stars players said:
“The Global All-Stars project has been great. I have learnt a lot and feel I am more understanding of all people from different backgrounds”

The success of the Global All Stars has led to the project winning a Community Champions excellence award from the Department for Education and Skills. There are also plans to increase the project to include women, girls and boys teams.

Further info about the Global All-Stars and the Sport-Link project contact Cath Morton on (01509) 821035 or go to the Sports Link web site.