Young people from the Nepalese and white communities in Aldershot and Farnborough come together for United Rushmoor's pre-training session on the military garrison
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New football team brings together communities
By Stephanie CockroftJanuary 18, 2012
A BRIDGE-building session, which saw young people from the Nepalese and white communities shake hands on a football pitch, proves Rushmoor is turning a corner, according to one youth worker.
Rich Cooper said he was overwhelmed when he saw 35 young people, some of whom have previously fought against each other in the park, come together on Sunday to play a friendly football match at the Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre.
The session was a pre-training event for those who will become team mates when the United Rushmoor Football Club (URFC) is launched in February.
The club is being set up with the aim of integrating Nepalese and white youngsters who live in Aldershot and Rushmoor.
And, after reading about the landmark club on www.gethampshire.co.uk, staff from Chelsea Football Club have offered to run the club’s first training session, under its Football in the Community scheme.
Rich, who formerly worked for the Source Café in Aldershot, said it had taken many months, including running football sessions with the Nepalese youngsters, to build up the trust.
But he explained the session had shown the young people’s determination to build a ‘united future’ for themselves.
He said: “The young people all arrived at the venue and you could tell they were very wary of each other.
“But once they had warmed up a bit, they came into the middle of the pitch, put their arms around each other, had a team talk and got on with it.
“I was absolutely overwhelmed and it was hard to take in.
“These are the people that were previously fighting at the fairs and in the park. It is amazing.”
After the session, which was watched by about 30 people, Curry Express in Station Road put on food for the group.
One of the teenagers who took part, Josh Bliss, said this about the event afterwards: “To everyone that attended the football yesterday including the people that didn’t play, it was a great game and a step closer to a better future for us all as a town and as a community.
“Thanks to everyone that has helped to end the war between us English and the Nepalese boys. They’re great lads once you get to know them.”
Another player Mickey Hayes said: “I want things to change because I don’t want my nephews or kids growing up watching their backs.
“We can change that. The session was superb.”
Rich said: “This shows we are starting to turn a corner.
“I am not naive as to think there is never going to be trouble again. It will still take a lot of work.
“But it shows that, if there is enough trust, these people are wanting to put all the bad stories and tension behind them.”
The first training session for URFC is set to take place at the Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre on Sunday February 12.
Most players will be aged between 16 and 22.
Anyone who can help with donating equipment to the club, or wants to join, should contact Rich Cooper on 07768 816029, or visit www.unitedrushmoor.com for more information.
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