SKY Blues youngster James Maddison set a perfect example during a recent trip to Barrs Hill Secondary School as part of Kick it Out’s ‘season of action’ to talk about inequality and racism.
The Coventry-born 18-year old, who was joined by defender Reda Johnson, spent time with over 25 pupils at the school on Radford Road, to help raise awareness on the topic to pupils.
The visit was part of a season-long initiative helping to promote equality, inclusion and diversity across all levels of the game.
The event also intertwined with the Sky Blues In The Community (SBITC)’s work too, with many of the pupils present also involved in the club’s Kicks Project.
“Events like this are massive,” said Maddison, who is a former Caludon Castle pupil. “It doesn’t matter if you’re of any ethnicity or sexuality, we’re all the same and all deserve equal opportunities. It’s important to educate people on this and it’s a great way to help raises awareness.
“The kids look up to me and Reda and I think it’s good for them to hear the message from us – I think they listened to us and I think they enjoyed the day. It’s important for footballers to show that we are just normal people and to get out into the community.
“I think Kick It Out are really helping to show we are all the same – look at me and Reda – he’s black and a Muslim and I’m white but we live for the same thing and both play football and respect each other.”
Maddison and defender Johnson took part in a variety of activities with the children, including designing programme covers, speaking about equality within football and took part in a ‘Q and A’ session.
Sky Blues star Reda Johnson jokes with pupils. 06.015.003.cov.jm2
Sky Blues stars James Maddison and Reda Johnson talk to Barr’s Hill School children about racism in sport and how it must be stamped out. 06.015.003.cov.jm1
Reda Johnson signing autographs. 06.015.003.cov.jm7
Children were asked to design a poster with the theme of ‘Kick It Out’. 06.015.003.cov.jm3
