Specialist partners in the Levelling the Playing Field network have explained why faith is a major factor in being able to achieve their positive impact on ethnically diverse children.
Levelling the Playing Field is ultimately a research project, seeking to explore good practice in how sport and physical activity can be used to engage ethnically diverse children who are at increased risk of entering the Criminal Justice System.
What’s become clear from our research so far is that faith is an under-explored factor in how community sport organisations achieve positive outcomes.
In the ethnically diverse community of Burngreave in Sheffield, our specialist partners Saalik Youth Project use sport to engage children and young people primarily from Pakistani backgrounds. Founder Imran Ali says his Muslim faith gives him “extra tools in my toolbox” to keep his youngsters on the right path.
“I reckon 80 or 90% of our success with young people is rooted in faith,” he states. “For example, if me or one of our youth workers is leading a workshop on drugs, alcohol or knife crime, we’ll bring faith into the conversation because it strengthens our argument.
“We’ll say to them, ‘What does Islam say about it? What does Yemeni or Pakistani culture say about this issue?’ It adds value to my work. It gives me a great advantage.”
Faith is also a key ingredient at The Gap Wales, Levelling the Playing Field’s specialist partners in Newport who use sport and physical activity to engage young refugees and asylum seekers.
The organisation started through a local church and co-founder Mark Seymour (pictured below) says the desire for connection and community within a congregation is a key part of what draws newly-arrived people in Newport to their door.
“The church already owned the building, paid liability insurance and had an established leadership structure,” says Mark. “We had people to change the lightbulbs and top up the coffee – all the practical stuff organisationally was already in place. So we grew within that framework.
“Attending on a Sunday is about being part of a support base. You can tap into each individual’s own networks and relationships. Everybody knows everybody and it gives us strength.
“For refugees and asylum seekers for whom faith is an important part of their life back home, finding somewhere where they can express that is key. It’s the same if football was a key part of your life; you can regain that sense of community by finding a team.”
For Joe Jackson, founder of our specialist partners NPV Football Development in Wolverhampton, faith also “plays a massive part” in how he engages, interacts and guides local young people and families.
NPV Football Development use football as an intervention tool to prevent youngsters falling prey to the nefarious influences that are prevalent in their community, such as drugs, gangs and crime.
Joe explains: “For many centuries, the church was the pillar of the community. Now we are fulfilling the same role.
“In my mind, football is my gift from the Lord as a tool for reaching people who are hurting, whether that be because of the cost of living crisis, gangs, racism or exclusion from society.
“My faith is my motivation. I certainly don’t quote scriptures or preach to people, but faith inspires me to be joyful, help, give advice and make sure people feel included.”
Inspired by his desire to emulate Jesus Christ, Joe uses his deep knowledge of young people and their families in the community - built through football - to help them in whatever way he can, whether that be offering a listening ear, or signposting them to other local support or opportunities.
“NPV has been going 25 years and we’ll be here for as long as I draw breath,” says Joe. “We provide an element of consistency that many in this community lack. It builds confidence and helps overcome barriers. Some of the mums and dads were with me as young players themselves. It’s cross-generational. They believe in our product because it was good for them as children.”
For Imran in Sheffield (pictured above receiving his South Yorkshire 'Role Model of the Year' award), the same personal conviction in supporting young people and their families – rooted in his Muslim faith – is his prime motivator.
“If you ask me why I’ve been doing what I have for 25 years, it’s because of faith,” he states. “As a youngster, I studied Islam and it gave me direction and purpose about what I should be doing and how I should be behaving. Faith is the be-all and end-all for me. It’s my values and principles.”
As a teacher in the local mosque, his religious affiliation also gives Imran instant credibility in his community. “Parents immediately understand what we stand for and want their children to spend time here,” he explains. “When they’re seeking guidance for their child, they know they’ll be in good hands.”
For Mark at The Gap Wales in Newport, being strongly affiliated with the church gives him a sense of responsibility and accountability to play a positive role in the community.
He says: “As a church congregation, we’re part of the fabric of the city. We believe we’ve got responsibility for some of the things that happen here.
“I think umbrella organisations are recognising now they are not the key drivers of change – the communities are. If enough of us, from whatever background, got together, we can bring about positive change, whether that’s as part of a church, a mosque or a local football club.”