Club Doncaster Foundation welcomed teams from across Yorkshire for a special Rovers 4 All football tournament, celebrating inclusion and bringing communities together as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Held at Club Doncaster Sports Village, the event saw six teams representing Doncaster Rovers, Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Barnsley and Rotherham United come together for a day of football, friendship and community engagement.

With South Yorkshire Police also in attendance, the tournament provided an opportunity for participants from different backgrounds to connect through their shared passion for football, while raising awareness of the importance of tackling hate and discrimination.

The event formed part of the Foundation's Rovers 4 All initiative, which provides weekly football sessions for refugees living in Doncaster and the surrounding areas.

Now welcoming more than 30 participants each week, the programme offers a supportive environment where individuals can stay active, develop friendships and build a sense of belonging within their local community.

Since its introduction, Rovers 4 All has continued to grow, demonstrating the positive role football can play in helping people overcome barriers and settle into new communities.

Owen Pawson, Health and Wellbeing Co-Ordinator at Club Doncaster Foundation, said: “Rovers 4 All is a fantastic example of how football can break down barriers and help people feel part of their community. We’ve seen the sessions continue to grow, with more than 30 people attending each week, which shows just how important these opportunities are.

“The tournament was a great chance to celebrate what makes football so special while bringing people from different communities together.

“By taking part during Hate Crime Awareness Week, we also wanted to reinforce the message that hate and discrimination have no place in our communities, and that everyone deserves to feel welcome, respected and included.”

The tournament also brought together representatives from fellow EFL Club charities, including Hull City's Tigers Trust, highlighting the collective commitment of Clubs to supporting their local communities.

Josh Barrett, Community Engagement Officer at Tigers Trust, said: “We’ve been invited down by Rovers. They’ve done many events in the past and they’ve always been fabulous and with this one being around Hate Crime Awareness which is a very important topic.

“It’s great to see everyone come together to raise awareness around this, the importance of it, what we can do and how we can support each other. It’s been a great day.”

Beyond the football itself, the event highlighted the difference initiatives such as Rovers 4 All can make to participants' everyday lives.

Umar, who regularly attends the Foundation's weekly sessions, explained: “It’s been great. There’s guys coming from different clubs to play against each other.

“I come to the sessions every week and some of us, it really helps with our mental health. Coming here to play, it makes a huge impact in our lives. It’s a really good thing.”

Through initiatives such as Rovers 4 All, Club Doncaster Foundation continues to demonstrate how football can extend beyond the pitch, creating opportunities for people to connect, improve their wellbeing and feel part of their community.

Club Doncaster Foundation brings communities together through Rovers 4 All tournament

Club Doncaster Foundation brings communities together through Rovers 4 All tournament