News

Football club aiming to unite communities

By Stephanie Cockroft
January 04, 2012

A FLAGSHIP football club which will aim to promote integration between the Nepalese and white communities is being set up in Rushmoor.

The teams, which will be created under the banner of voluntary community group United Rushmoor, will be made up of players who live in Aldershot or Farnborough.

The eventual aim is for a whole host of sports teams to be set up under United Rushmoor, which will compete in local leagues.

The football club idea was the brainchild of youth worker Rich Cooper, who said he was amazed at the number of people interested in joining.

He said: "The main aim of the football team is to make friendships between the Aldershot born-and-bred and the Nepali community.

"There are a lot of bridges to be built between some people and the two towns have seen quite a lot of tension between the two groups.

"I am in a position to do something about it and sport is a great way to achieve that.

"Everyone so far seems keen to join. It will result in the team members having a sense of belonging, which will teach them the importance of respect and unity.

"It's respect that is needed if we are to move forward in integrating the two communities."

The teams will be managed by Prasant Thapa and Billy Davies, who are both experienced football players, and supported by Raj Gurung, who runs the Time Cafe in Aldershot.

Sam Phillips, who set up United Rushmoor, said the teams would enter local tournaments before joining the local football leagues in August.

He said: "I set up the United Ruhsmoor group with the aim of stopping the segregation in Rushmoor.

"The football club is a great leveller to help stop the problems between the young people.

"The problems come down to culture and language and there is nothing better to stop that than team sport.

"It breaks down barriers and builds up friendships on the sidelines."

Mr Phillips said there could be about 40 young people already interested in going along to the club's first training session.

He said: "In reality we can have as many teams as we want, so the more the merrier.

"Rich has been working with young people in the area for years, so has managed to get a lot of them interested.

"And as interest grows, we eventually hope to expand the club so we can also set up a similar to team for those aged under 16."

Mr Phillips also plans to set up a cricket team as part of United Rushmoor, as well as a drama club which he hopes will be working towards a performance of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet in the summer.

The first training session is due to take place at the Garrison Sports Centre on Sunday, February 12.

Anyone who can help with donating equipment to the club should contact Rich Cooper on 07768 816029, or visit www.unitedrushmoor.com for more information.

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