The Youth Multi-Ethnic Football Festival at English Park on Sunday was a chance for 9 to 13-year-olds to kick a ball around and celebrate their cultures. JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/Stuff Children from 16 different nationalities were brought together by their love of football. Mainland Football interim chief executive Martin Dodgson​ said the festival was the first step in making everyone feel welcome. Canterbury Cricket and Mainland Football ethnic diversity and inclusion programme manager Hussain Hanif​ said the day was about building real partnerships with community organisations in Christchurch. The strategy’s ultimate goals are to remove the barriers that prevent ethnic players from participating in cricket or football.

Source: Stuff August 15, 2021 06:55 UTC