Nirvana Presentation Evening

Thank you to all who attended the annual presentation evening and for those that performed. Nirvana enjot celebrating the achievemets of our young people.

Annual Highfields Festival

The 3^rd Annual Highfields Festival will take place on Saturday 29^th June 2013 at the Highfields Centre and in the Uplands and St Peter’s car parks.  As per last year, the 2013 festival will include a Community Fair and an Outdoor Show (featuring Musical Youth!) taking place between 10am and 4pm.  The festival will incorporate a wide range of stalls, sports, arts, children’s and under 5’s activities including bouncy castles, taster sessions and much more for individuals of all ages to participate in.  There will also be the annual Celebration of Diversity and Unity in the Community event from 4 – 8pm which celebrates young people’s achievement, together with live entertainment from a range of artists. The event will also incorporate the Uplands Junior School’s Summer Fete!

Racism In Football Roadshow Heads To Birmingham

Written by Poppy Brady

FAMOUS FIVE: (from left) Ivan Liburd, Lincoln Moses, Michael Hart and Peter Herbert, with Wayne Henry (front)

IT’S ONE of the most important fixtures Birmingham City Football Club has hosted in a long time – but it won’t be on the pitch.

For Blues is hosting the second leg of the ‘Race for Football National Roadshow’ to finally stamp out racism in the beautiful game wherever it exists – from grassroots up to Premier level.

The free public event, at St Andrew’s Stadium in Cattell Road, Birmingham, will be held on Wednesday, May 22 between 6pm and 9pm. It is being backed by The Voice, the Society of Black Lawyers (SBL), Phoenix United FC, Leicester’s Nirvana Football Club, which held the first roadshow, and the Black and Asian Coaches Association (BACA).

A panel of speakers will include ex-Birmingham City and Jamaican international Michael Johnson, former Tamworth Football Club international striker Gary Smith, Peter Herbert, chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers, and Dr Paul Campbell, of Leicester’s De Montfort University.

The panel, chaired by community activist Desmond Jaddoo, founder of Birmingham Empowerment Forum, will also have contributions from Lincoln Moses, MBE, manager of Continental Star, the UK’s longest running black-led football club, and Rodney Hinds, Sports Editor for The Voice. Representatives from the FA and the campaign group Kick it Out are also expected.

During the evening voting pads will be used to gather immediate feedback from those attending the roadshow, and there will also be round-the-table workshops organised.

Wayne Henry, head of Birmingham-based City United, which is a partner with Phoenix United, is organising the Birmingham leg of the event.

He said: “During the evening we will discuss topical issues of discrimination and racism in our community and sports. Racism is wrong in all forms, regardless of who it targets.

“The use of racist words and behaviour have no age limit, nor are they restricted to white on black abuse. We are calling on the community, the police, educational establishments, grassroots and professional clubs to take this matter seriously and implement a learning process that addresses this dreadful disease of racism. Our goal is to ensure that equality for all become a reality in our lifetime.”

He added: “Previous racial and discriminatory incidents demonstrate there is a real need for solutions and a constructive and informed debate not just within football’s black and Asian community, but the wider community. Every one of us has a role to play in eradicating racism.”

Peter Herbert, who is organising a group to meet members of America’s National Football League (NFL) in Washington next month, is determined to make this an international issue. He is also spearheading an international conference at London’s Institute of Education at the end of the year.

He said: “The Birmingham road show is a significant step towards having the grass roots game help set the agenda on race and diversity in football.

“The football authorities must listen carefully to the black and minority communities’ experiences of racism that are vital to achieve a truly diverse game at all levels.

“The ‘Race for Football’ campaign is bringing together experts from the grass roots and professional game in Birmingham to provide practical solutions.”

Desmond Jaddoo added: “Racism today has become more sophisticated but in football it remains archaic and blatant. The judiciary seems to be out of touch, trying to play down racism on and off the pitch as banter.

“There has to be far more black managers in the game and some high profile black players need to stand up and be counted. In the same way the community must back those players who make a stand. Only with these and many other changes will we begin to win the battle with racism.”

Tickets are available for this free event. To register visit:http://raceforfootball.eventbrite.co.uk. Registration begins at 5.30pm

Posted on: 03/05/2013 06:14 PM

U12's Become League Champions

Nirvana under 12's are crowned champions of the league for 2012/2013. Congratulations to all the squad and management. Hard work does pay off. Well done

Nirvana Race to Victory

A dramatic turn of events saw Nirvana FC Under 15 's come from behind to beat Blaby and Whetstone FC 2 - 1 at Hamilton Park on Sunday 28th June 2013.

The game was attended by league officials and many supporters after the previous game held in Blaby back in October 2012, ended with Nirvana complaining of racial abuse from players and supporters. 

There was an obvious tension surrounding the game but both teams played with control and restraint which resulted in minimal disciplinary incidents during the game. This was with one exception, coincidently the same player that was accused of racially abusing Nirvana players in there previous fixture was shown a red card in the 2nd half of the game after receiving 2 yellow cards. 

 

Nirvana took advantage of a 10 man Blaby & Whetstone after going behind in the first few minutes of the game, They kept their cool and fought back with 2 goals from Jordan Nelson to secure a victory.

This was a massive psychological win for Nirvana's young players who have had an emotional year and who were the inspiration behind the Race For Football National Roadshows currently touring the country. The roadshows aim to spread awareness and gain the feeling of the grassroots community across the country. 

The next event is on Wednesday 22nd May 2013, 6pm -9pm at the home ground of Birmingham Fc. To book on to the event pleas use the online booking form https://raceforfootball.eventbrite.co.uk  

 

Nirvana are still waiting for the outcome of the original complaint that was made 6 months ago.