Kick the Borders: FC St. Pauli and NGO Projekt Seehilfe e.V. to organise football camp for refugees in Sicily
Thursday, 06. September 2018, 13:35 Uhr
Under the motto Kick the Borders, FC St. Pauli are joining forces with the NGO Projekt Seehilfe e.V. to organise a football camp for refugees in Sicily. Taking place in Syrakus from 15 to 22 September, the camp aims to integrate displaced people in local structures, bring them together with the local youth, and offer them a sporting distraction from what can often be a monotonous daily routine.
Kick the Borders takes place at a time when it is more important than ever to stand alongside refugees and not only appeal for humanity, tolerance and diversity but also to live and breathe it,” said club president Oke Göttlich. “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Refugees Working Group and Projekt Seehilfe e.V. for planning and organising this trip.”
The Kick the Borders project was initiated by the club’s Refugees Working Group, a coming together of staff, members who play sport in the club, and fans. For the last three years it has been the central point of contact in all matters regarding refugee support in connection with FC St. Pauli.
The St. Pauli delegation that will travel to Sicily will include technical director Ewald Lienen and several youth coaches. The NGO Projekt Seehilfe e.V., whose staff will provide local planning and coordinating support, has been a St. Pauli partner for three years and has supported refugees on the ground in Sicily since 2015.
Led by qualified St. Pauli youth coaches, and in cooperation with FC Real Syrakus and CSI Syrakus (local football association) two training sessions will be held every day for local youth from Syrakus and refugees who are being looked after by the local church. FC St. Pauli not only wants to show the people there that they have not been forgotten, but also aims to be a role model for other clubs, put structures in place and inspire others to provide active support on the ground.
Photo: Projekt Seehilfe e.V.
