Deadline approaching for schools to enter competition to mark centenary of WW1 Christmas Truce
- HRH Duke of Cambridge and Theo Walcott will judge a design competition for a new permanent national memorial marking the Christmas Truce
- All primary and secondary schools in the UK have received an education pack about the moment in history when football brought war to a halt
Time is running out for schools yet to enter the Football Remembers design project to create a permanent national memorial to the Christmas Truce – one of the most iconic moments of the First World War.
The Duke of Cambridge – President of The FA – and Arsenal and England star Theo Walcott will help judge the winning entry, which will be built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The pair came together this week to discuss the unique project, which has seen the Premier League, Football League and The FA Join forces with the British Council.
More than 30,000 education packs have been distributed to schools across the country as part a nationwide commemoration this year marking 100 years since the start of the First World War. It includes resources to help children learn about the Truce – including eye-witness accounts, photos, drawings and letters from soldiers, some of which have never been published before.
Schools wishing to take part in the memorial design competition have been given an extra week until 11.59pm on Monday 23 June to submit their entries, with the winning design set to be unveiled in December. More information on how to enter is available here - http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/classroom-resources/football-rem...
A host of events are taking place across this year. Every team in the Premier League and Football League as well as all 24 England sides will mark the centenary, right through to the grassroots - with every FA-registered club, County FA and UK primary and secondary so chool being asked to join in a series of activities between now and December 2014. Any football team in the UK and around the world will be welcome to participate.
The Football Remembers pack includes perspectives from British, French, Belgian, German and Indian witnesses and is accompanied by specially written activities for English, modern foreign languages, drama, art, sport, history, moral education and conflict resolution.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge said: “I am delighted that children across the country will be taking part in a schools competition to design a memorial to the Christmas Truce – a competition which I will be helping to judge. The memorial will be housed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, close to The F.A.’s new St. George’s Park home. A fitting location, which I hope many who visit the national football centre in future, will stop by to visit.
“I would like to wish good luck to everyone who takes part and to thank all those who are involved in commemorating this year’s centenary of the First World War. It is vital we never forget.”
Arsenal FC and England star Theo Walcott said: “It’s a privilege to be part of such a special project with HRH The Duke of Cambridge which teaches young people about football’s part in WW1. I’m honoured to play my part in judging the competition which gives young people a chance to create something truly special. This will ensure this piece of history and the sacrifice of so many is never forgotten.”
British Council: Mark Moulding – Senior Press Officer
0207 389 4889 / mark.moulding@britishcouncil.org
FA: Greg Demetriou – Head of Corporate Communications
07812 062 837 / greg.demetriou@thefa.com
Football League: Peter Hannon – Public Affairs Executive
07435 782 904 / PHannon@football-league.co.uk
Premier League: Phil Dorward – Head of PR
0207 864 9157 / pdorward@premierleague.com
The Football Remembers education pack, which includes details of the competition, will be available to download at: http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/football-remembers
An image of Theo Walcott and HRH The Duke of Cambridge accompanies this media release. This is free to use, as long as appropriate credit is given to Getty Images.
About the British Council:
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide. We work in more than 100 countries and our 7000 staff – including 2000 teachers – work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year teaching English, sharing the Arts and in education and society programmes.
We are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter. A publically-funded grant-in-aid provides less than a quarter of our turnover which last year was £781m. The rest we earn from English teaching, UK exams and services which customers around the world pay for, through education and development contracts and from partnerships with other institutions, brands and companies. All our work is in pursuit of our charitable purpose and creates prosperity and security for the UK and the countries we work in all around the world.
About the Barclays Premier League:
The Barclays Premier League is the biggest continuous annual global sporting event in the world. Last season more than 13.6m fans attended matches with average stadium occupancy in excess of 92% for the fifth season in a row. Across nine months of the year 380 matches are viewed in 212 territories worldwide. Coverage of the matches is available in approximately 804m households.
About The Football League:
Formed in 1888, The Football League is the world's original league football competition and is the template for leagues the world over. With 72 member clubs, it is also the largest single body of professional clubs in European football and is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet Football League, Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, as well as reserve and youth football.
About The FA - Supporting football since 1863:
The FA is the not-for-profit, governing body of football in England which re-invests £100m back into the game each year. It grows participation, promotes diversity and regulates the sport for everyone to enjoy. Seven million players of all ages, 400,000 volunteers, 300,000 coaches and 27,000 qualified referees help The FA keep the grassroots game going.
The FA runs 24 England teams, across men’s, women’s, youth and disability football, utilising the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park. To find out more visit TheFA.com and follow @FA
About the National Memorial Arboretum:
The National Memorial Arboretum is the UK’s year-round Centre for Remembrance; a spiritually uplifting place which honours the fallen, recognises service and sacrifice, and fosters pride in our country. The Arboretum is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities. Sited in the heart of the Nation, with 50,000 maturing trees and nearly 300 memorials, it is a beautiful and lasting tribute to those who serve their country or who have died in conflict.
Full letter from The Duke of Cambridge supporting Football Remembers:
As President of The Football Association, it gives me great pleasure to be supporting the Football Remembers project.
The British Council, together with The F.A., Premier League and Football League, have put together a tremendous resource for use in the classroom and at home. It promises to be a powerful way to engage and educate young people about such an important moment in our history.
We all grew up with the story of soldiers from both sides putting down their arms on Christmas Day, and it remains wholly relevant today as a message of hope over adversity, even in the bleakest of times.
I am delighted that children across the country will be taking part in a schools competition to design a memorial to the Christmas Truce – a competition which I will be helping to judge. The memorial will be housed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, close to The F.A.’s new St. George’s Park home. A fitting location, which I hope many who visit the national football centre in future, will stop by to visit.
I would like to wish good luck to everyone who takes part and to thank all those who are involved in commemorating this year’s centenary of the First World War. It is vital we never forget.
William