This unit aims to enable students to understand:

•	The nature of racism in football
•	How individuals and organisations can tackle racism.

The first activity is designed to raise students' awareness of the continuing issue of race and football. Statistics are primarily about the levels of participation in the game and demonstrate some interesting facts. The key patterns that should emerge from this lesson are that black players are well represented in professional football but Asian players continue to be under-represented. The summary from the Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research illustrates some of the racist assumptions held by those in positions of authority in the game about why Asians continue to be absent from professional football. In contrast to this, the figures for participation and interest in football by Asian youths is important to note.

There are some very useful resources to draw on for discussions about race and football. In particular, the Kick It Out campaign produces a magazine for classroom use, and the organisation Show Racism the Red Card have a video, CD-Rom and lesson pack on the same theme. The video and project pack My England from the ARC theatre ensemble provide a powerful discussion tool about the relationship between race, identity and football. If this were to turn into a major focus for a series of lessons it may be worth organising a free loan of the exhibition boards relating to the history of black footballers in Britain, which are available from FURD. Further figures and additional articles are available from the website of the Sir Norman Chester Centre. (Websites and contact details for all the organisations mentioned can be found in the teacher's introduction.)

This lesson can easily run on from work in the core unit on identity and could also be linked to the issue of racism on the terraces. Those students who attend football matches could be asked for their experiences of racism at football matches and at school, and asked to comment on the differences they observe. The research activity is designed to raise students' awareness of local issues. It will be interesting to reflect on the similarities and differences between the situation in school, in the local club and in the game nationally through a comparison of these figures and those the students discover.

It is important, when considering problems such as the impact of racism on sport, to make students aware how much positive work is already in progress to tackle the issue and also to impress on them the capacity we all have for undertaking action individually and collectively. Activity 2 introduces students to some of the projects under way around the country and internationally, and asks them to think creatively about the kinds of action that would help to address the problem of racism. This activity could focus on the reasons we have for intervening in difficult situations and for not taking any action. Alternatively, it could focus on the wider issues of how a local or national campaign might be organised. This will enable students to think about the ways in which campaign groups actually try to realise their objectives. General campaign websites such as www.citizensconnection.net may provide useful tips and points for consideration as students draw up their own plans.

The skills focus of this activity is on developing teamwork, communication and presentation skills. A help sheet is provided to support groups getting started on the planning process. If the students take time to complete this sheet it will provide a useful framework for their evaluation at the end of the activity and thus help them assess their work and the contribution of their peers.