Glamorgan Cricket is working with South Wales Police to support national Hate Crime Awareness Week (12 to 19 October).
South Wales Police attended the Year 6 Riverside Challenge Tournament to raise awareness through discussion groups with pupils from local schools - widening their understanding around the definition of a hate crime and why it is so important that we all take responsibility for calling it out whenever we see or hear about one in our communities.
Year 6 pupils from Grange, Ninian Park and Kitchener Primary schools came to Sophia Gardens to play cricket against each other in the Riverside Challenge Tournament with three key focus areas; have fun, get active and make new friends. They were also invited to make posters which recognised some of the key messages they discussed around Hate Crime Awareness Week. The messages displayed on the children’s artwork said it best: ‘Be Kind, Say No to Hate’, ‘Stop the Hate and Liberate’, ‘We All Stand Together…. Against Hate’. These important messages are the building blocks of tomorrows harmonious and diverse society.
The Riverside Challenge Tournament has been running for over five years and gives local schools the opportunity to find out more about Glamorgan Cricket, including visiting the Club’s International sports stadium, Sophia Gardens, situated in the heart of their community to play cricket in a supportive and inclusive environment.
South Wales Police Community Safety team leader Thomas Haigh, Hate Crime Officer, said: “Our Hate Crime Officers , Police Community Support Officers and Youth Engagement Officers had a great opportunity to spend time with some of our local communities throughout the day. We discussed topics around Hate Crime Awareness , School and Community issues/concerns.
“The children also had the opportunity to wear different police uniforms. They asked open and inviting questions about local policing. The whole event was a very successful day and the children certainly seemed to enjoy themselves.
“Glamorgan Cricket deserve the highest praise for their continued community work and South Wales Police continue to work in partnership with the Club.”