QPR aiming to drive Gypsy & Traveller discrimination out of the game

RACISM in sport has been dominating the headlines in recent weeks, particularly in football.
But a type of discrimination described as 'the last socially acceptable form of racism' rarely makes the top of the news agenda - that against Gypsies and Traveller.

A scheme at Queens Park Rangers Football Club aims to promote players from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, helping them reach the top of their game, as well as driving this kind of racism out of the stands.

NOW they are flying high in the top flight of English football, it is hard to imagine there are many things QPR would want to change.

But in their quest to improve diversity and support the community, the club is blazing a trail to kick racism out of football, and in particular that against GRT communities.
They run regular coaching sessions for youngsters and adults from those communities, working closely with Ealing's Gypsy Roma and Traveller Achievement Service. But they offer more than that, preparing those taking part for coaching badges, and providing them with the tools to be able to integrate fully with the fixed community.
Gareth Dixon, inclusion and diversity officer at the club, said: "Everybody knows about the campaigns to get racism out of football, and they're great campaigns doing a lot of good work. "But the terraces are still full of people who use certain derogatory words about Travellers because they are ignorant. It is the last socially acceptable form of racism and that needs to change.
"Football is a great tool, and it is not really a sport that has much of a GRT presence. The only reasonably high profile footballer from a GRT background is Freddy Eastwood (a striker at Coventry City).