Unite Through Football: Refugees. An exciting new project from Surrey FA, in partnership with Surrey Police, that will launch on Tuesday 20th September 2022 

Current news and conflicts in the world have raised awareness around refugees. With this we have seen a growing population of refugees within Surrey. 
These are people who have had to leave their homes and families, often fleeing from conflict, crisis, and violence. It is common that in the process of this, people experience a large amount of hardship and trauma.  

Speaking on the project, Surrey FA Senior Football Development Officer, Rob Bryant, said:
“We have seen a growing population of refugees within Surrey, and we want to create an offering that gives these individuals the opportunity to play football, boost their mental health and embed themselves within the Surrey community.” 

To make this happen, Surrey FA have been working closely with Surrey Police and SBHL, who provide accommodation services for refugees, to set up ‘Unite Through Football: Refugees’, a project consisting of a monthly refugee league, to grow and develop more football opportunities for this demographic; signposting to local clubs, to embed refugees within pre-existing clubs and communities; and a workforce & education pillar, to upskill participants knowledge and open them up to opportunities to join the football workforce.

Speaking on behalf of Surrey Police, PC Elliott Hartley said:
“Following a successful trial between the Surrey Police Football Team and refugees in Mole Valley at Meadowbank Football Stadium in March, we are keen to support more opportunities for our refugee community to participate in sporting activities. Not only does it help them to build positive relationships within their local community, it also provides structure, support and social opportunities, which are hugely important for people who have been displaced, often in very traumatic circumstances. We’re extremely grateful to Surrey FA and SBHL for their support on this project.”

If you work with refugees and would like to find out more about how to enter a team, please get in touch, using the details below. 

For further information, please contact: 

Rob Bryant, Senior Football Development Officer. Rob.Bryant@SurreyFA.com 
Eve Roberts, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Eve.Roberts@SurreyFA.com