Fair Shot fan day - Rotherham United
Key details
Date: Saturday 26th October 2024
TIME: 10.45am - 2.00pm
(with the option to attend the Rotherham vs Stevenage game afterwards, which kicks off at 3.00pm)
LOCATION: Parkgate Astro
Parkgate Astro, School Lane, Parkgate, Rotherham, S62 6FH
Getting there
By car… Parkgate Astro has a car park with plenty of spaces available for anyone travelling by car.
By public transport… the nearest train stations are Rotherham Central (2.3 miles) or Swinton (4.2 miles), from both of which buses are available that can take you to within a short walking distance to Parkgate Astro.
About Fair Shot
What is Fair Shot?
Fair Shot, supported by the Refugee Council and Comic Relief, is a football movement uniting fans across the country towards a goal of fairness and compassion for all.
Football clubs are at the heart of communities – they bring people together on and off the pitch, giving them a sense of connection and belonging.
Fair Shot aims to harness this power by partnering with football clubs across the English leagues to host friendly 5-a-side matches and other challenges with Fair Shot FC, a team of refugees and people seeking asylum, and you – the clubs' loyal fans.
This is an opportunity for football fans like you and the players from Fair Shot FC to share your passion for football, creating new connections that show how the beautiful game can bring people together.
Fair Shot FC
Fair Shot FC are a squad united by their passion for football, who are all refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK from Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Namibia, Senegal, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria and The Gambia, due to war and persecution in their home countries.
Our players may be referred to as refugees or people seeking asylum, but they are also football fans who have come together through a shared love of the game
Our partnership with Rotherham United
We are honoured that Rotherham United are part of the Fair Shot movement.
As a partner, the club have given us the unique opportunity to use their training facilities as well as tickets to the match against Stevenage in the afternoon.
Rotherham United are doing fantastic work in the community, with a range of projects, campaigns and events that showcase how football can bring people together.
What will the day include?
Teaming up with Fair Shot FC
At Parkgate Astro you will get to team up with Fair Shot FC for a training session run by the team's coaches as well as a coach from the Rotherham United Community Trust. The session will include warmups and drills, along with challenges and the chance to show off your best skills!
As the end of the session you will get to put your training into practice by taking part in a friendly 5-a-side match. There will be prizes up for grabs throughout the day, so make sure you bring your A-game!
Lunch and refreshments
There will be snacks and drinks available throughout your time at Parkgate Astro, including a lunch provided at the end of the session. Please complete a participant form as soon as possible to let us know your dietary requirements.
Matchday at the AESSEAL New York Stadium
As part of the day, you have a free ticket to see Rotherham take on Stevenage in the afternoon! We will provide transport for you to get to the stadium along with your fellow fans to enjoy the game together whilst cheering on the Mighty Millers.
Help on the day
There will be a team of staff from Fair Shot and Rotherham United Community Trust who will be on hand to assist you on the day and answer any questions or concerns. We will provide you with kit and refreshments.
Fair Shot FC's coaches
David Simmons is Fair Shot FC's head coach. Whoever you are and whatever your ability, he will be on hand to make sure you have an incredible time playing and training together! Alongside Fair Shot, David runs Changing Lives FC, a competitive refugee football team based in Essex.
Liubov Liushnenko is Fair Shot FC's assistant coach. Like many of the players who make up the team, Ukraine national Liubov was displaced from her country due to conflict. Having found a home in the UK, Liubov has also found another home through football and with Fair Shot.
Filming and Photography
A photographer and filmmaker will be present at Parkgate Astro to capture the action throughout the session.
This content will be shared on Fair Shot and Rotherham United's social media channels, allowing more football fans to enjoy the day's highlights.
Please be aware that by confirming your attendance on the day you are committing to being filmed and photographed.
Football conversations
During your time at Parkgate Astro, we will facilitate some filmed conversations between Rotherham fans and Fair Shot FC's players to help you get to know one another and chat about all things football! We would also love to hear from you about why you support Rotherham, and what football means to you.
There's no pressure if you would rather not be part of these, but we would love to have a selection of people involved.
Getting your consent
On arrival on the 26th October, someone from the Fair Shot team will ask you to sign a consent form giving permission to be featured in the content we produce for Fair Shot's social media channels after the day.
We will also ask if you would be willing to be interviewed about your love of football and Rotherham United.
What to bring
Clothing
Please attend in any clothes you find comfortable, but we suggest bringing warm clothing for attending the match in the afternoon. We will supply you with a Fair Shot FC football kit to wear on the day, including a shirt, shorts and socks. Changing room facilities are available at the venue.
Equipment
If possible, please bring shin pads and trainers that are suitable for playing football on a 3G Astro pitch. Please complete a participant form as soon as possible to let us know if you need us to provide these for you.
Accessibility and Health & Safety
Our football session at Parkgate Astro aims to create a fun and safe environment for everyone who takes part. However, please be aware that by taking part you may put yourself at risk of personal injury. Fair Shot and Rotherham United will take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of this happening, and first aid trained staff will be available if needed. We ask that you adhere to the principles of fair play and care for others to ensure everyone is kept safe.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Football is a global game which brings together people of all backgrounds, communities as cultures. This Fair Shot fan day is an opportunity for you to help promote equality, diversity and inclusion in football and beyond.
As outlined in your participant form, we maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Anyone engaging in such behaviour will be required to leave.
Together, we can be part of a movement using the power of football to create acceptance, fairness and compassion for all.
Contact information
If you have any questions ahead of the day or can no longer attend, please let us know by emailing us at info@fairshot.org.uk.
If you need to contact us on the day for any reason, please call 07393 461319.
