SAFC legend Gary Bennett passes on key messages about discrimination to Academy of Light youngsters

SAFC legend Gary Bennett speaking with youngsters at the Academy of Light about the Windrush and his own career.

Transcript

00:00 manager he signs me so what do you think the players thought when I come through

00:06 the changing room?

00:08 Not necessarily discriminating.

00:10 They'll want to be better than you type of thing?

00:12 They'll want to be better than me but what else do you think they might have thought?

00:14 Because I played for Leinachers and all of a sudden...

00:18 They might have thought you were being good because he's brought you in.

00:20 That's right, so all of a sudden you think oh he's coming to the changing rooms so straight away I don't know if you've ever had this feeling

00:28 when you're in the changing rooms and a new player comes through that door what do you think?

00:34 I hope he's positive and inspirational.

00:36 That's right, you're 100% good. That's what you do.

00:40 Okay then Don, I'll just start by asking about the Windrush 75 project then please.

00:44 Yeah, it's this year's annual Premier League Under-12 tournament which as you'll know from last year is a big flagship academy project

00:52 for all Category 1 academies and this year there is a focus on Windrush 75 as it's the 75th anniversary of Windrush

01:00 when the first boat came over in 1948.

01:04 As it's always been there is a general focus around the World War 1 and the Christmas Truce

01:10 but because there's a celebration around Windrush we're looking to link in with people in the local community

01:18 where there's a bit of a Caribbean heritage and fortunately we've got the African Caribbean Association

01:24 who are based on Hilton Road, they're interested to get involved with us and possibly create some relationships

01:30 which hopefully will be long lasting and they can develop something going forward.

01:35 And how important is it that the children learn about this part of history now?

01:38 Like the impact on multiculturalism in our society today?

01:41 It's massively important. I think there's a big push to get Windrush recognised in the National Curriculum at school

01:46 certainly within history but also as you say just to celebrate multiculturalism

01:51 and just to see the benefit it's had on society and the economy in general.

01:56 How good is that Gary Bennett come along and speak to the kids tonight?

01:59 It's massive because Gary although he's not from the area he's settled in the area, he's become, I think he's recognised by the fans

02:06 I think they relate to him, they see him as being one of our own within Sunderland, he's probably an honorary MACA

02:12 and his contribution is massive not just within football but his work outside of football

02:17 he's nationally been recognised with his work around anti-racism in football.

02:21 Say no to racism type of thing.

02:24 Kind of like we're like this isn't race to you, like P.E.

02:29 P.S.H.A.

02:31 Like ban racism.

02:34 Well, stop it really.

02:37 Do you know what racism is? So for instance, you'll see some of the Premier League teams now and what did they do?