On Tuesday 5 August, The FA kicks-off a series of roadshows spanning some of England’s largest Asian communities to share ideas and seek contributions for work to increase involvement in the game.
The forums will be delivered with County FAs, professional clubs and local community groups and amateur teams and the first takes place at West Ham United's Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 5 August at 6pm and concludes at Burnley's Turf Moor on Thursday 18 September.
FA consultant Brendon Batson said: "We have developed, designed and consulted on our Asians in Football work through a nationwide network of contacts with knowledge of both football and local Asian communities.
Upcoming roadshows
Leicester: Riverside Football Ground (4 September)
Luton: Kenilworth Road (9 September)
Burnley: Turf Moor (18 September)
Bradford: Valley Parade (25 September)
"The next step is to take the plan into communities for dialogue, consultation and feedback.
"The Asian community is the largest diverse community in the UK, close to five per cent of the population or three million people.
"The several generations, nationalities and faiths that make up the Asian community are not reflected across football. This is just one of the reasons why this work is very important."
And Indy Aujla, one of only a handful of professional British Asian footballers, currently at Boston United, who has experienced the game in the Football League, on the continent and in non-League, has given his backing to the forums.
He said: "It’s great to see The FA engaging with the British Asian community and taking the lead on this issue.
“The several generations, nationalities and faiths that make up the Asian community are not reflected across football”
Brendon Batson FA Consultant
"There needs to be a body of work being done at grassroots level which has already started and which these sessions can help drive, whether these efforts are being reflected at the elite end of the game will probably surface as the forums unfold."
That feeling was endorsed by Pav Singh, a Bradford-based UEFA 'A' Licence coach, who added: "This is a great opportunity for voices within the British Asian community to be heard. I’m keen to be part of the solution moving forward and hope others get involved, too."
For a full list of events and venues click here or to book a place at one of the forums, please e-mail kevin.coleman@thefa.com.
