5 days ago
Scoring goals and tackling STIs: non-stop football tournament raises £20k for HIV awareness charity
Hundreds of islanders in Jersey took part in a non-stop football tournament on Saturday to raise money for HIV and AIDS awareness charity, TackleAfrica.
The opening whistle signalled the start of 12 hours of non-stop play, with each of the six-a-side teams allowed just two additional players to continuously sub in throughout the course of the day.
Raising £20,000 for charity, the 'football marathon' was more than just a unique fundraising effort - the game of football is a central part of everything TackleAfrica does.
The charity operates in sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of using football to educate communities about avoiding STIs, living with HIV, and supporting others to do the same.
Local organiser John Gamble explains: "Tackle uses football as a teaching method - it's a really interactive and engaging way of working with young adults."
"We layer in sexual health, AIDS, HIV, FGM messaging into football drills and in that way we find we can get messaging across much more easily, in a visual way that people easily understand."
George Warran, TackleAfrica's UK events manager, adds: "For example, we do this drill where the goal would represent genitalia, and footballs would represent STIs."
"By adding defences - or condoms - they then can't contract the STIs, because they're practicing safe sex".
He adds: "We will see groups of 30, 40 young people with one coach, all engaged, all asking questions, all sharing the message with their friends".
The charity then ensure that local football coaches are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to continue teaching their own communities.
The marathon is in its 14th year in Jersey, and saw players of all abilities come together - including two members of the recently-promoted Jersey Bulls.
John says: "What started out with 6 teams as a bit of an idea has grown, and become a real fixture in the Jersey football community - and it's a terrific day that people look out for".
George adds: "It's one of those things where friends come together, have a blast doing it - but there's a message behind it that people connect with, there's something purposeful we are raising money for".
