Black History Month: Hull City's Darko Gyabi and Joel Ndala surprise students at St Anthony's Primary School

Throughout October, Tigers Trust have been engaging students across both primary and secondary schools in meaningful conversations around Black heritage and culture. These sessions have provided young people with the opportunity to share, celebrate, and deepen their understanding of the impact of Black individuals within football and wider society. 

At St Anthony’s, one of the Trust's new Primary schools this academic year, pupils explored a collection of retro Hull City shirts worn by Black players over the decades, learning about the individuals behind the shirts and their contributions to the club’s history. 

The highlight of the day came when students were surprised by the arrival of Hull City midfielder Darko Gyabi and forward Joel Ndala, who joined the workshop and brought excitement to the students in the classroom. The players took part in a Q&A session, answering thoughtful questions from the children around inclusivity, the power of football to unite different cultures, their personal journeys in the sport, and what it means to represent the Tigers. 

Following the discussion, students had the chance to partake in group photos, grab selfies, and collect autographs - creating lasting memories for everyone involved. 

Conrad Arnott, Primary Education Manager at Tigers Trust, shared his thoughts on the visit: 
"We hugely appreciate both Darko Gyabi and Joel Ndala visiting St Anthony’s primary school to bring our workshops to life. The children had the chance to learn about the importance of black history month, as well as asking engaging questions, trying on match worn shirts of previous black Hull City legends, and meeting two of their heroes. The children had a day they’ll never forget, which is what the Tigers Trust’s Premier League Primary Stars programme aims to provide."