Young people from across the Levelling the Playing Field network gave delegates at the Include Summit a powerful and moving insight into how sport and physical activity has enriched their lives.
The Include Summit, held this year on 3-4 May in Manchester, is the UK’s largest conference focused on equality, diversity and inclusion – and seven young people from our specialist partners Fight 4 Change, Wolverhampton Wrestling Club, InPower Academy and the Peer Action Collective made such an impact that members of the audience requested selfies!
The young people took to the stage alongside Keith Fraser, Chair of the Youth Justice Board and Levelling the Playing Field’s steering group, to share the profound impact that community sport has had on the direction of their lives have taken.
Imane Sbihi opened up about the effect Wolverhampton Wrestling Club had on her when she was struggling to focus and study at school and “hanging around with the wrong people.”
“I thought to myself, ‘What am I supposed to do?’” she said on stage in Manchester. “But when I found the wrestling club, I felt like I belonged there. We’re like a family and we’re welcome any time we want.
“That self-discipline and development given to me by the coaches was exactly what I needed. Now I’m a coach and helping others who were like me. It feels unreal.
“We need to go into these areas and get hold of young people to set them on the right path. Sport can be absolutely massive in achieving that.”
Danish Jamil and Anuj Dubedi are also part of Wolverhampton Wrestling Club. Thanks to the club’s uniquely hugely inclusive, diverse and positive environment, led by head coach Ranjit Singh, the youngsters have thrived and built solid sporting ambitions.
“The club has definitely stopped me getting into trouble and given me the opportunity to help others who were like me when I was 14,” said Anuj. Danish, whose ambition is to be MMA and wrestling world champion, added: “Anybody that goes, they just fit in. That’s how I got in – and I’m never getting out!”
Shamza Butt and Matthew Bartey engage in various youth initiatives with Bradford City Community Foundation. One of them is the Peer Action Collective, funded by the Youth Endowment Fund. It brings together 6,500 young people aged 10-25 to take part in youth-led action to end violence by shaping the solutions they want to see in their communities – including sport.
“We all have our differences and we should celebrate those, but sport is something we can unite around and be passionate about,” said Matthew.
Shamza, who first came to the UK from Italy, found herself "stressed out and alone" until she discovered her role model Pavan Sembi, the Peer Research Project Manager at Bradford City Community Foundation. "She was my saviour and my hero," she said. "I could ask her for help with anything. She guided me when I most needed it."
Also on stage were brother and sister Riahanna and Davarel Gordon from our specialist partners Fight 4 Change in south London.
Riahanna was named our London Role Model of the Year earlier this year and now goes forward to our Levelling the Playing Field national awards in Birmingham in July.
She said: “I realised that growing up in a boxing gym set my trajectory. I became focused and it set me on the right path.
“I started boxing early and stuck with it, thanks to the discipline and belief of my boss Rebecca Donnelly. I now have my coaching qualifications and I want to own and run my own boxing gym.
“We have a lot of issues around our neighbourhood. Sport can encourage young people deeply embedded in that world of postcode wars, gangs and violence to step away from that activity.
Consistency is the key. That gym was open every day. Knowing it was there gave me the knowledge that I always had a safe place to go, whatever was happening.”
Her brother Davarel added: “When I first started going to the club, it resonated with me. Now, I’m a tryer. I go into things much more open-minded.”
Asked by Keith for advice the best ways that adults can engage vulnerable young people using sport and physical activity, Davarel said: “Patience. You first have to build trust and rapport in order to achieve a positive response. Building relationships so that trusted adult becomes a familiar face is important.”
Anuj gave further insight: “Just be cool, man! Adults can sometimes be too formal.
“It’s easier for me to speak and relate to someone who’s grown up in the same environment as me. If they’ve been there, then it helps them make sense. They’ve probably made the same mistakes, so they understand what you’ve been through and can provide the right solutions.”