Win a copy of Jeriah Boateng's book 'Back in Time'
Kick It Out has launched a brand-new competition inviting young people to step up, show their allyship skills, and reimagine the game through the power of storytelling.
This Black History Month, we’ve teamed up with award-winning author and Brighton & Hove Albion Academy player Jeriah Boateng to offer 10 free copies of his book ‘Back in Time’.
The competition is open to children aged between seven and 12 years old, who, with the help of their teachers, parents or carers, need to sign up to our on online learning platform – The Academy.
After taking a child-friendly version of our allyship course, which is hosted by Jeriah and his friend Alex, they can then show how they would be an ally for a chance of winning one of Jeriah’s books. More details on how to enter are below.
In 2024, Jeriah was announced Premier League Young Academy Writer of the Year, a competition designed to boost confidence and creative writing among Academy players aged U9–U11.
Jeriah experienced discrimination at school, and was inspired to write about it after his friend Alex stepped in to support him. Now Jeriah is using that same passion for making change to inspire children everywhere to think about being an ally.
How to take part
With the help of teachers, parents or carers, children aged seven to 12 years old can sign up to Kick It Out’s online learning platform, The Academy, to take part. Once they’re signed in, they’ll get access to a child-friendly version of our Allyship Course, where they can watch a video hosted by Jeriah and his friend Alex breaking down what allyship is all about.
In Jeriah’s book ‘Back in Time’, there’s a key moment when the main character Rafael misses a crucial penalty, and travels back to meet West Brom and Real Madrid legend Laurie Cunningham. Instead of that storyline, we’re asking young people to create their own alternative, showing how they’d step up and be an ally to Rafael at that crucial moment.
Entries can be submitted in different formats such as written stories, videos, a play, a song, or even a drawing or painting. Ten winners will receive a copy of ‘Back in Time’ and a Kick It Out goody bag for themselves or their school.
“Football is at its best when everyone is included and feels like they belong,” said Bex Potton, Education Lead at Kick It Out. “This project brings that message to life in a way that’s creative, fun and meaningful for young people. It’s about preparing the next generation to be not just great team-mates, but great allies too.”
The campaign kicks off this October, and entries are open now. Get involved and join the competition today, visit The Academy to register.
You can find Jeriah's book Back in Time on Amazon here.
