Year 7 students at Jo Richardson Community School got a delightful surprise when their afternoon class, themed around Black History Month and the Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign, was interrupted by Hammers stars.
The students had been discussing key black figures in history, ranging from Mary Seacole to Lewis Hamilton and Kamala Harris. They also created adverts to promote black role models, but had no idea that some West Ham United Men’s, Women’s and Academy players were lurking in their corridors, set to join them.
Shortly after some of the children listed Michail Antonio as a black inspirational figure, there was plenty of disbelief when the striker entered the room alongside Women’s player Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and West Ham United Academy starlets Ryan Battrum and Favour Fawunmi.
“I can’t believe Michail Antonio is stood in front of me,” exclaimed one child, as the players answered questions ranging from the importance of role models, to the value of diversity and the ways in which they goal-set and celebrate achievements for themselves as well others around them, like teammates and family members.
With a captivated room, the players detailed the challenges they have had to overcome to forge the path they are on at West Ham United, in a bid to offer some encouragement to the class.
“Lots of people tried to tell me ‘no’ and turned me away, but I believed in myself and I kept going,” said Antonio, discussing his less than traditional route from school football and non-league football to the Premier League.
“You can’t be deluded though; you need to know when to challenge yourself. You need to know when to listen as well. You can’t just think you’re the best, everyone can learn in life. Even the best need to get better.”
Continuing, Brynjarsdóttir shared: “Similar to Michail, I had to believe in myself a lot. I had a lot of people on the way telling me I couldn’t. But actually my friends where I grew up, who were both boys, they made me believe I was the best female footballer in the world and I think that belief kept me going.
“I’ve had some setbacks and knockdowns as well. I’ve had two children and so I’m actually coming back now for the second time after having my second son and I’m still going through people not believing me. In the end, I think you always have to believe in yourself and your ability and lean on people who can push you and believe what you’re capable of.”
“I’ve been at West Ham since I was six years old,” said Academy player and lifelong Hammers supporter Battrum.
“It definitely hasn’t been a smooth journey, there have been a lot of bumps in the road. There’s been a lot of changing positions. I’ve pretty much played in every position there is on the pitch. But the main thing I’ve done is stay resilient and always believe in myself.”
His teammate, Fawunmi, touched on being back in his home streets, stating: “I’m just like you guys, I’m from Dagenham, I’m a local boy. I was at West Ham when I was really young but then my parents couldn’t take me because they were working. I then went through the Sunday League route and played for a club in North-West London called Barnet. Then lockdown happened, Barnet closed down and the opportunity came for me to come back to West Ham and I took it.
“Since then, it’s just been about getting your head down and working hard. I think the main thing I can say from my journey is you’ve just got to persevere and if you really want something, you have to do whatever it takes to get there. I’m still on my journey and I’m working towards it.”
The Premier League Inspires scheme, supported by the Premier League, empowers participants to develop personal, social, employability and life skills, through a series of regular face-to-face group sessions, mentoring, workshops and social-action projects, providing pupils with the help they need now and supporting them to plan for their future.
To conclude events, Antonio touched on the Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign and the need for awareness on tackling hate in all forms, stating: “Racism shouldn’t exist, but it does and so it’s just about trying to oppose it and prevent it.”
In addition to recognising the vital role education plays through workshops like those delivered by West Ham United Foundation, the striker also noted that reporting is critical if racism is witnessed or experienced, saying: “I probably wouldn’t want you to get in a troublesome situation and so I would say if it happens in school, report it to your teachers. If it happens in the stadium, report it to a steward or the referee or anybody that you can report it to, or if you’re on the streets then it’s the police.”
For more information about West Ham United Foundation, click HERE.
Click HERE for more on Premier League Inspires, and HERE for more on No Room For Racism.