Thursday 6th June, 2024 at 10:58am
Partick Thistle Football Club and The Fair Play Project are standing together to end gender-based violence in a new partnership announced today.
An initiative from Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC), the Fair Play Project takes a proactive approach to build both skills and confidence amongst players, staff and volunteers in sport. It was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, who were presented with information on the need for this project from GCRC and agreed on how important it is.
By training staff to be First Responders throughout the club, Partick Thistle FC hopes that if any player, fan, worker or volunteer discloses an experience of gender-based violence, that they are supported fully and in line with Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis’ trauma-informed approach.
Work is also being done across the club to create an active bystander culture, so that any signs of concern can be spotted and responded to. A core part of the partnership is working with the young players of the club too. Allowing the Fair Play Project Team, who are skilled and experienced youth engagement workers, to support young players in their understanding of healthy relationships, consent and attitudes around gender and violence.
Kirstin Fraser of Her Game Too Partick Thistle, says of the partnership:
“We’re very grateful that GCRC have supported us during season 2023/24 at the start of this journey. Their involvement has helped us train staff, educate coaches and introduce an active bystander culture, all to help Partick Thistle FC and the Wyre Stadium at Firhill become a safer place for women to enjoy watching, working or volunteering in football.
“Everyone involved with Her Game Too at Partick Thistle FC is proud to formalise the partnership with today’s announcement and we look forward to further growing the work and training being delivered across the club alongside GCRC next season.”
Included in the work to date has been First Responder training for Partick Thistle FC staff and volunteers, including with coaching staff at the Partick Thistle Youth Academy. The club will continue to roll this out across the season ahead as part of our work to ensure reporting pathways are accessible to everyone, and that football at Firhill is a safe place for everyone.
Claudia Macdonald-Bruce of GCRC says of the partnership:
“Sport can create such powerful, motivating and meaningful communities of players and people who come together to support their team. Clubs are used to working in partnerships. Less so however, with organisations like Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, which is why we are delighted that Partick Thistle Football Club are fully behind the Fair Play Project and what it has to offer. I hope that together we can make a difference in preventing gender-based violence in Glasgow’’
For more information on the Fair Play Project please visit our Instagram page: @fair_playproject
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