Republica at the Anti-Racist World Cup Italy 2001-2009

[Nigel_S]

Contrary to appearances I don't actually like being the one who starts loads of threads on this forum - I reckon it looks better if we all contribute to this website as a club. So I waited for somebody else to start this one, as it was the tournament that the most members of Republica went to this year, with about 20 of us having a brilliant time in Casalecchio, near Bologna, from 8-12 July.

But I guess 2 months after the event is long enough and so it's about time we had a thread on here where our friends and networks can see photos and comments about this marvellous event which Republica members have taken part in nearly every year for the last decade.

Every year this event in northern Italy brings together more than TWO HUNDRED football teams from around Europe and the world to share their experiences of fighting racism and other forms of discrimination. The picture shows some of the Republica squad with the "KICK SEXISM CUP" that they won at this year's event.



This was a really unexpected honour, but as the organisers said on their website "The Coppa Kick Sexism has been assigned to the Leeds-based team Republica Internationale, who are affiliated to the "White Ribbon" campaign and who helped organise workshops on gender issues. They also organised our female football tournament at Casalecchio, and, most of all, to have showed with their presence that, as a mixed team, sexism is not only an issue regarding women, but something that must be faced together, men and women."

Wow ! Something for us all to be really proud of, and an inspiration to keep up the good work...

So that brings us to the first question, for those who don't know yet.Who are the organisers of this amazing event ?? Answer: Progetto Ultrà, Istoreco and UISP Emilia-Romagna.

To explain who they are, let's cut and paste a bit from the official Anti-Racist World Cup website:

http://www.mondialiantirazzisti.org/mondiali/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=80&lang=en

"Progetto Ultrà, promoted by the regional council of Emilia-Romagna, aims to defend the traditional values of popular fan culture and to eliminate intolerant and xenophobic behaviour from inside and outside football stadiums through social projects aimed at fans.

Istoreco, the Institute for the History of the Resistance and Contemporary Society, based in Reggio Emilia, has for the last 35 years undertaken historical research into fascism, the Second World War, Antifascism and the Resistance. The work of the institute has now been extended to include youth antiracism initiatives and international exchanges. Some of the events organised include study trips, remembrance trips, exhibitions, seminars and weekend trips to follow the footsteps of partisans.

The UISP Emilia Romagna Committee is the regional committee of the largest Italian “sports for all” association - UISP, Unione Italiana Sport Per tutti, which has more than 240.000 members. The association promotes sports on the regional level, but is also involved in various contexts, such as – amongst others - youth involvement, the fight against discrimination, environment and sustainability, violence and conflict prevention, different abilities and handicap, health and lifestyles.

The Antiracist World Cup is actively supported by UISP Nazionale and the Football Against Racism in Europe network (F.A.R.E). Public sponsors include: the Regional Council of Emilia Romagna and Casalecchio Town Council.

All receipts from the bars and restaurants run by the organisers of the Antiracist World Cup are used exclusively to cover the remaining costs of the festival.

Please let us know by the end of May if you wish to take part in the next Antiracist World Cup."