21.07.10New Anti Homophobia Group in Italy

The team consists of a group of gay and straight players, friends who, despite their obvious differences, demonstrate that in the world of sport we are all equal. (I.C.O.N.S. stands for "Iniziativa Contro Omofobia Nello Sport")

14.07.102010 Galibi Cup

As part of their busy summer schedule, The Justin Fashanu All-Stars travelled to Prague last month to take part in the 2010 Galibi Cup. The tournament, organised for gay and gay-friendly teams, proved to be a superb event despite the sweltering temperatures, with teams from Germany, France, Italy, Slovakia and the host country all taking part along with the All-Stars.

The All-Stars started the competition slowly but improved over the course of the day, eventually making it out of the group stages and on to a hard-fought clash with Cargo Lyon for a place in the semi-finals. However, despite their best efforts, the All-Stars ultimately went down 2-0. The final was won by German side Team München Streetboys.

Overall, the tournament proved to be a fabulous experience for all involved, and one which the All-Stars will hope to attend again next year.

10.07.10SUCCESS FOR ALL-STARS IN NOTTINGHAM

On the 10th July 2010, The Justin Fashanu All-Stars triumphed in the first-ever Justin Campaign Football Tournament in Nottingham. The competition, which was organised by the Brighton-based organisation in association with The University of Nottingham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning (LGBTQ) Staff Network, involved eight male teams and seven female teams from around the UK. It was also the first time Nottingham had hosted a football tournament with both gay and non-gay teams participating.

The All-Stars men’s team worked hard throughout the tournament, which was sponsored by Groundworks, a Greater Nottingham organisation that works with young people, and eventually came out on top, lifting the trophy after beating Jamie’s Team. Real Sparta won the women’s tournament, with Spartalona taking the runners-up spot.

As well the football competition, various LGBT organisations such as the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham Rainbow Heritage and the University of Nottingham Staff Networks, all took part in a stalls fair.

The All-Stars were particularly delighted to win their first trophy in Nottingham, as Justin Fashanu himself had endured a very difficult time there in his spell with Nottingham Forest. However, the tournament was very much about moving forward and changing the landscape of football rather than dwelling on the past.

Overall, over £230 was raised for the Justin Campaign who would like to thank Claire Henson and Julie Bennett in particular for their incredible work in organising the competition. The tournament will take place again next year but in the meantime, the All-Stars are looking for more players to join their ranks and don the famous pink shirts.

03.07.10Downtown Soccer Toronto

The Justin Campaign has been chosen as the recipient of proceeds from Downtown Soccer Toronto’s 2010/2011 fundraising calendar.

Downtown Soccer Toronto (DST), the city’s first official gay and lesbian summer co-ed recreational soccer league, produced the calendar using volunteer models, photographers and designers, and two dollars from the sale of every calendar will go towards The Justin Campaign. The Justin Campaign was chosen in a poll by DST members and DST Communications Officer Keph Senett said: "Downtown Soccer Toronto is committed to providing an inclusive space for everybody to play soccer. The goals of The Justin Campaign are aligned with ours."

Darren Ollerton, director of The Justin Campaign, is extremely pleased with the decision by the DST. "The Justin Campaign is delighted by the news that the DST has decided to make such a generous donation to our work”, he said. “We look forward to building on this new found relationship with our friends in Canada and hope that the 2011 observance of Football v Homophobia is successful in demonstrating that this issue is very much an international concern."

Football v Homophobia Survey

ATTENTION SPORTS/ARTS/CULTURE EDITORS

In response to the massive interest shown in the Football v Homophobia initiative set up by The Justin Campaign this year, the organisation has decided to create an online survey as part of a global consultation process ahead of the 2011 event.

Football v Homophobia itself was initially created as an international day opposing homophobia in football, which provided an opportunity for individuals, communities and teams the world over to communicate their disapproval of homophobia in football and celebrate football’s diverse following under the banner of Football v Homophobia.

The way in which the Football v Homophobia initiative has been taken up internationally in its first year has made The Justin Campaign realise as a campaigning organisation how widespread the problem of homophobia in football really is. Homophobia isn't just prevalent in the European game but has infected the game throughout the rest of the world.

Therefore the creation of this online survey will give interested parties from all around the world the chance to put forward their views and opinions on Football v Homophobia and the results will consequently help The Justin Campaign to understand how this international day of opposition can be enjoyed by people the world over.

The closing date is Friday 30th July 2010.

For further information please contact Justin Campaign Press Officer Alan Duffy at 07814347566 or alan@thejustincampaign.com

12.06.10Alternative World Cup

On Saturday June 12th, The Justin Fashanu All-Stars will be participating in Brighton’s very own Alternative World Cup. Organised by local residents including members of the Cowley Club, a collectively run social centre situated on the London Road, the six-a-side event is taking place at the Manor Road Gym from 11am to 4pm. Eight men’s and eight women’s teams have been invited to play, with sides from all over the country taking part under the banner of anti-discrimination and anti-fascism.

The 2010 Alternative World Cup is a follow on from a similar tournament held last December, which was organised by Bristol team the Eastern Cowboys. The festivities kick off on Friday night at the Cowley Club, where the draw for the competition will take place, along with a table football competition.

After the tournament, a BBQ will be held at the Coachwerks community arts space in Hollingdean, where the England v USA World Cup game will be shown on a big screen. To round things off, on the Sunday, there will be a picnic on Hove Lawns from midday onwards.

02.05.10Justin Fashanu Day

The All-Stars were eliminated in the knockout stages. However, their presence at the tournament, on such an important weekend, was another positive step in the campaign’s fight to rid the beautiful game of homophobia.

On Sunday, the campaign also joined Stonewall’s 10k Equality Walk in Brighton, where campaign members, joined by Fashanu’s niece, Amal Fashanu, handed out stickers and flyers, both highlighting the continuing issue of homophobia in football while also celebrating the life of Britain’s first black million pound gay footballer.

The Justin Fashanu All-Stars are always looking for players who can represent them in the numerous tournaments they play all over the world.

"It is important for us to remember Justin. His courage to be who he was in such a hostile industry shows us that we too can be open about ourselves. Justin Fashanu shone a light in a very dark and barren place."

Jason Hall, founding director of The Justin Campaign

29.04.10Hate crime DVD launch

19.02.10Football v Homophobia

On February 19th 2010, The Justin Campaign launched Football v Homophobia – An international day opposing homophobia in football, which provided an opportunity for individuals, communities and teams the world over to communicate their disapproval of homophobia in football and celebrate football’s diverse following under the banner of Football v Homophobia.

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