Today, adidas and Arsenal have announced the fourth consecutive year of ‘No More Red’– a joint initiative to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence. Both Arsenal’s Men’s and Women’s team will wear the all-white ‘No More Red’ kit on Sunday for their FA cup games.
A campaign launched back in 2022, 'No more Red' was founded with a commitment to support young people through three core focuses: investing in safe spaces to play, providing ongoing opportunities for connection, and championing community role models. Since starting the initiative, Arsenal and adidas have had three successful years of 'No More Red' success, having a huge impact on young people across London. Already refurbishing three pitches at Harvist Estate, Mayville Estate and King Square in London, a fourth pitch in Peckwater Estate is due for refurbishment and will open this year. In 2024, 235 young people participated across 1450 hours of No More Red activities at the Arsenal Hub.
Freddie Hudson, Head of Arsenal in the Community said:“Knife crime and serious youth violence is incredibly complex. We don’t have the solution to fix the problem, but we know our work with adidas is helping keep young people safe and create opportunities for more positive futures."
“It’s important we continue to invest in safe spaces where we engage young people facing multiple challenges as they navigate their way through their lives. This is where trust is built, and positive relationships develop with our staff."
To mark the fourth year of the intiative, Declan Rice, Alessia Russo and Miles Lewis-Skelly came together for a short film. In which they meet with three inspiring members of the community to discuss the importance of having access to trusted role models, and the significance of providing safe spaces for young people to thrive and express their creativity.
When asked about the intiative, Declan Rice Said: “There's an immense pride you feel when you pull on the No More Red shirt. Having such a special connection with our supporters in our community gives us a real understanding of the people we're representing and the role we can have as players in raising awareness around issues such as youth crime and violence."
"Their stories give us inspiration which fuels our performances. Our community drives us forward, and we win together.”
As a way to celebrate community heroes, the 'No More Red' shirts and not available to buy and are only given out to individuals who are making a positive difference in their communities. A total of 210 shirts have been given out since 2022 and hopefully more this year for the inspiring members of our communities.
Watch Arsenal's Men's and Women's team play in the all-white kits on Sunday 12 January in the FA cup.
Find out more information about 'No More Red' at arsenal.com
