This March, Wolves will partner with Fair Shot, a football powered campaign which aims to unite a movement of fans across the country towards a goal of fairness and compassion for everyone, no matter where they come from.
Wolves and Fair Shot have launched a competition for their fans to win the chance to play a friendly five-a-side game and other challenges alongside Fair Shot FC, a team of refugees and people seeking asylum on Friday 21st March on a local pitch connected to the club. Fans can enter at fairshot.org.uk.
The match will happen as part of One Pack Week, which celebrates the collective equality, diversity and inclusion work at the club across 2024/25 season, with Wolves promoting their partnership with Fair Shot at the midweek home game with West Ham United.
Fair Shot FC is a football squad made up of players from Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Namibia, Senegal, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria and The Gambia who have fled to the UK due to war and/or persecution in their home countries. They have come together through their shared love of football and the positive impact playing it has on their lives.
Wolves will follow on from successful games at Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United and Preston North End, with the last match of the Fair Shot season at Queens Park Rangers. These matches will give fans and players from Fair Shot FC the opportunity to share their passion for football and engage in conversations that inform understanding and create connections, highlighting that within the football community there is far more that unites than divides.
Football clubs are at the heart of their communities – they bring people together on and off the pitch giving them a sense of connection and belonging. Wolves are already doing incredible work through their Foundation, using the power of football and the club's badge to educate, and inspire local people and communities, creating opportunities and changing lives.
Wolves Foundation already works closely with the Refugee and Migrant Centre to offer activities to improve individual’s mental and physical wellbeing. Through ‘Kick Off’, the charity’s newest Premier League and Professional Footballers Association funded programme, the Foundation are aiming for more regular engagement of adults from the refugee and migrant community through weekly football sessions.
Tom Warren, senior manager with Wolves foundation, said: “The support and loyalty of our fans is so important not just on a matchday but also with our vital work across the community, helping to make it a more accepting and cohesive place for everyone.
“We are delighted to be part of the Fair Shot movement and look forward to hosting a game as part of One Pack Week. Bringing together the amazing Fair Shot FC with our passionate fans will not only bring a day of fun, but an opportunity to create connections and mutual understanding.
“We know the power football has to transcend borders and bring people together on and off the pitch. Everyone should have the chance to play and enjoy the beautiful game, in the same way everyone deserves the right to be treated with kindness and compassion. All connected with Wolves – players, staff and supporters - strongly believe in that.”
Fair Shot FC are led by coach David Simmons who runs Changing Lives FC, based in Harlow, Essex, the only competitive refugee football team in the UK. He will be assisted by Liubov Liushnenko, a refugee from Ukraine, who now plays for AFC Sudbury Women’s first-team and coaches with Changing Lives.
Liushnenko said: “I travelled alone to the UK after war broke out in Ukraine. Life was hard, but playing football has changed my life here. My team have become more like a family to me.
“I personally understand what football can bring to the players of Fair Shot FC. Football is about fairness, and this is something I have felt from the British people who have welcomed me here. I hope this can be extended to everyone, who through no fault of their own have had to leave their homes to find peace here in the UK.”
Fair Shot is supported by the Refugee Council, and Sport Relief, a fundraising campaign run by the charity, Comic Relief.
Join the movement at fairshot.org.uk.
