Following the success of last year's inaugural Football Festival, Derby County Community Trust partnered again with Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity and other local organisations to host a Refugee Week Football Festival on Wednesday 18th June at Derby Racecourse.

Refugee Week is the world's largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. The week takes place every year around World Refugee Day. The theme of this year's Refugee Week was Community as a Superpower.

16 teams attended including Leicester City, Coventry City, Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale, ASHA Staffordshire, Nottingham Forest, Rebuild, Migrant Help and other local organisations. 

Inclusion Manager, Gavin Lewis reflects on the week: 

"The Refugee Football Festival is a powerful reminder of how sport can unite, inspire and empower. It was more than just a game, it brings people from diverse backgrounds together. United by a shared love for the game. Events like this are vital - they create a sense of belonging, build bridges across communities, and celebrate the incredible resilience and spirit of refugees."

Additional to marking #RefugeeWeek, Derby County Community Trust hold a weekly, free of charge, football session at Willows Sports Centre which is supported by the Premier League Fans Fund.

The Premier League Fans Fund provides grants to support football clubs at all levels of the game to strengthen connections between them, their fans and local communities.