Next week is Anti-Bullying Week 2020 (16-20 November) and the Rugby Football League (RFL) is asking individuals and clubs at all levels of the game to take a united stand.
The RFL is supporting efforts by the Anti-bullying Alliance to raise awareness of the damage that bullying can do and how it can be tackled.
Anti-Bullying Week begins on Monday 16 November the increasingly popular ‘Odd Socks Day’ – and RFL Safeguarding Manager Kerry Simmons has been in touch with clubs asking them to join in.
Kerry says:
“Odd Socks Day is a fun way to start the week and light-hearted way of drawing attention to a serious subject. Too many children and young people experience bullying, and its effects can be long-lasting.
“Throughout 2020 we’ve seen Rugby League clubs and foundations inspire an amazing sense of camaraderie and community spirit in the face of a common challenge. If we are serious about tackling bullying, we need to harness that same sense of togetherness.
“Wherever you work, learn, train or play, slip on some odd socks on Monday to show your solidarity with the campaign. In this way we can all show that we are United Against Bullying.”
Anybody from across the sport taking part in Odd Socks Day is asked to share their photos via the RFL’s social media channels using the #AntiBullying Week hashtag.
For little people (and for grown-ups in need of a lockdown lift), there’s an official campaign video which offers a rallying cry to the nation’s children to unite against bullying. CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his Odd Sacks band have recorded a cover of punk rock legends Sham 69’s ‘If the Kids Are United’, which also features Princess K and the Libera Choir. All proceeds will go to the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
A wealth of resources is available to clubs and individuals via the Anti-bullying Alliance website.
