Brighton holds Alternative World Cup

Justin Fashanu All-Stars Women's Team

Last month the Justin Fashanu All-Stars took part in Brighton’s very own Alternative World Cup. The football tournament was organised by local residents and members of the Cowley Club, a collectively run social centre situated on the London Road.

The women’s All-Stars team got all the way to the final, beating tournament favourites The Comets in the semi-finals after extra-time. However, the All-Stars were ultimately defeated in the final by the “World Cup Six”, courtesy of a dramatic late winner.

Overall, eight women’s and eight men’s team took part with post-match festivities taking place at the Coachwerks community arts centre in Hollingdean where the teams watched England get their World Cup campaign underway against the USA.

For more information view:
www.thejustincampaign.com

By Scott Hart
Jul 6, 2010

The Justin Fashanu All-Stars triumphed in the first-ever Justin Campaign Football Tournament in Nottingham. The competition, which was organised by the Brighton-based organisation in association with The University of Nottingham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning (LGBTQ) Staff Network, involved eight male teams and seven female teams from around the UK. It was also the first time Nottingham had hosted a football tournament with both gay and non-gay teams participating.

A spokesman for the team said:
"The All-Stars men’s team worked hard throughout the tournament, which was sponsored by Groundworks, a Greater Nottingham organisation that works with young people, and eventually came out on top, lifting the trophy after beating Jamie’s Team. Real Sparta won the women’s tournament, with Spartalona taking the runners-up spot.

"As well the football competition, various LGBT organisations such as the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham Rainbow Heritage and the University of Nottingham Staff Networks, all took part in a stalls fair.

"The All-Stars were particularly delighted to win their first trophy in Nottingham, as Justin Fashanu himself had endured a very difficult time there in his spell with Nottingham Forest. However, the tournament was very much about moving forward and changing the landscape of football rather than dwelling on the past.

"Overall, over £230 was raised for the Justin Campaign who would like to thank Claire Henson and Julie Bennett in particular for their incredible work in organising the competition.

"The tournament will take place again next year but in the meantime, the All-Stars are looking for more players to join their ranks and don the famous pink shirts."

Anyone interested in joining should email:
info@thejustincampaign.com

Football v Homophobia Survey

ATTENTION SPORTS/ARTS/CULTURE EDITORS

In response to the massive interest shown in the Football v Homophobia initiative set up by The Justin Campaign this year, the organisation has decided to create an online survey as part of a global consultation process ahead of the 2011 event.

Football v Homophobia itself was initially created as an international day opposing homophobia in football, which provided an opportunity for individuals, communities and teams the world over to communicate their disapproval of homophobia in football and celebrate football’s diverse following under the banner of Football v Homophobia.

The way in which the Football v Homophobia initiative has been taken up internationally in its first year has made The Justin Campaign realise as a campaigning organisation how widespread the problem of homophobia in football really is. Homophobia isn't just prevalent in the European game but has infected the game throughout the rest of the world.

Therefore the creation of this online survey will give interested parties from all around the world the chance to put forward their views and opinions on Football v Homophobia and the results will consequently help The Justin Campaign to understand how this international day of opposition can be enjoyed by people the world over.