The Walter Tull Sports & Arts Development Association

An organisation, run by human beings, for the betterment of human beings

Walter Tull Sports and Arts Development Association is a community social enterprise group. The group takes its name from Mr. Walter Tull, the first ever black officer in the British Army and the second black footballer to play professional football in Britain. He was a strong figure who rose above the racial barriers of his time to succeed in his own right. We deliver quality programmes and character building education that enables the recipients of our services to raise above their barriers to success and services that enables them to maximise their potential and fulfil their aspirations.

Our offices are based at The Park which is a Local Opportunity Centre situated in Knowle West, Bristol. The Park is managed jointly by Bristol City Council, through the Learning Communities Team. The site features excellent business facilities and some days there can be as many as 1000 people enjoying the benefits of The Park.

We are principally an educational mentoring and mediation group. We work in mainstream schools, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and with looked after children.

We run Supplementary Schools that provide qualified teachers and pastoral workers that allow us to offer core subjects, help with homework, identity & personal awareness training and we also provide educational trips.

We also run events that

• raise awareness of issues that we identify as barriers to positive lifelong learning
• celebrate the successes of our organisation and the achievement of the recipients of the services that we deliver
• educate and empower young people, parents and the community to promote continuous improvement and positive outcomes for all

Our operation is funded by a mixture of the services that we directly deliver to mainstream schools & PRUs, public grants and corporate sponsorship. Over 25% of the total funds accrued come from corporate sponsorship.

Walter Tull Sports and Arts Development Association is run by a Board of Directors, staffed by workers and assisted by volunteers who are well positioned in providing services to the exacting needs of its customer base.

Our mantra is that we are an organisation run by human beings for the betterment of human beings, whoever they are and wherever they come from.

Who is Walter Tull?

Walter Tull, the son of joiner, was born in Folkestone in April 1888 Walter's father, the son of a slave, had arrived from Barbados in 1876.

In 1895, when Walter was seven, his mother died. Walter's father remarried but died two years later. The stepmother was unable to cope with all six children and Walter and his brother Edward were sent to a Methodist run orphanage in Bethnal Green, London.

Walter was a keen footballer and played for a local team in Clapton. In 1908 Walter's talents were discovered by a scout from Tottenham Hotspur and the club decided to sign this promising young footballer. He played for Tottenham until 1910, when he was transferred for a large fee to Northampton Town. Walter was the first black outfield player to play professional football in Britain.

On the outbreak of the First World War,Tull immediately abandoned his football career and offered his services to the British Army. The Army soon recognised Tull's leadership qualities and he was quickly promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Walter, like many professional players, joined the 1st Football Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. Walter Tull was sent to the Italian front. This was an historic occasion because Tull was the first ever black officer in the British Army.

On 25th March, 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Tull was ordered to lead his men on an attack on the German trenches at Favreuil. Soon after entering No Mans Land, Tull was hit by a German bullet. He was such a popular officer that several of his men made valiant efforts under heavy fire from German machine-guns to bring him back to the British trenches. These efforts were in vain as Tull had died soon after being hit.Tull's body was never found.