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Playing Fair: The Story of Fairtrade Footballs
New KS2 and KS3 schools resource featuring CBBC presenter
A new short film taking a behind the scenes look at making footballs has been produced for KS2 and KS3 students by the Fairtrade Foundation, in time for kick off for Euro 2016 and the Homeless World Cup.
Football is a multi-billion dollar sport yet those at the other end of the supply chain – football makers - don’t earn enough to afford a basic family budget.
Shot in London and Pakistan, the film takes students on a journey to meet football workers and stitchers from Fairtrade-certified factories in Sialkot, Pakistan, where 70% of the world’s hand-stitched footballs are made.
Through commentary, accompanied by free style kicks, by Frankie Vu, a live sports presenter for CBBC, and interviews with the football makers, students will learn about the challenges they face, various stages of football production, and the positive impact of Fairtrade.
The film, and accompanying photography materials, available to download now at http://schools.fairtrade.org.uk/resource/football/, draw on issues in global trade, such as low wages and child labour, whilst inspiring a discussion on how a modern consumer can drive change.
There are over 180 million people living in Pakistan and over 20% are living in poverty, on less than $1.25 a day. 40 million footballs are made in the factories of Sialkot each year – this rises to 60 million in a World Cup year.
Fairtrade helps tackle poverty by working with companies to ensure viable wages, good working conditions and the Fairtrade Premium that is used for vital community projects, such as building schools and hospitals.
Kate Jones, Education Campaigns Manager, said: “Football is the world’s most popular game, and one that unites people around the world. Yet, for all the promotion of fair play in the beautiful game, behind the scenes for many it is a different experience – football makers are often forgotten across the supply chain, living in poverty, working in poor conditions and earning low wages. Fairtrade is working to change this and make the game fair for everyone involved.
“The film engages students in one of the untold stories behind football and gets them to reflect on the causes and effects of poverty, and think about what they can do to make trade work for everyone. We hope teachers across the UK will use the resource during Euro 2016, and beyond.”
Fairtrade balls will be for the first time used during the Homeless World Cup 2016, held in July in the UK. Bala Sport, a cooperative from Glasgow, who provides the Fairtrade balls for the event, works with the football makers in Pakistan.
Angus Coull, Joint MD, Bala Sport said: “Fairtrade balls mean that the fairness and respect towards players and fans that is encouraged by football governing bodies is extended to the football makers.
“It’s fantastic that students across the UK will get to hear the story of the people behind Fairtrade sport balls and see the very positive impact our ball purchases have on their lives. We hope film will spread the word about Fairtrade’s contribution to football and lead to a much better life for more sports ball workers.”
Perveen, football worker said: “With the Fairtrade Premium, we bought school bags and school books for children. We set up two water filtration plants because there was a problem with access to clean water. There are now also eye tests for workers to help people who suffer from eye-related problems and headaches.”
The film was made in response to a survey that the Fairtrade Foundation conducted in 2015 with Fairtrade schools asking what commodities they would like learning resources about. Sports balls scored very high, as they are used in every school which makes them interesting for children and young people.
Schools have been a big part of the Fairtrade movement. There are currently 1,800 Fairtrade Schools in the UK, and that number continues to rise thanks to the support of dedicated teachers and students.
Teachers can download and order free classroom materials at www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools and find out how their schools can become part of the Fairtrade movement.