Heather Rabbatts, Chair of The Football Association’s Inclusion Advisory Board, has welcomed recommendations by the Football League to increase representation from black, Asian and minority ethnic coaches and managers.
Rabbatts said: "The Football League's announcement today is a significant moment for all of us involved in the game and ensuring that our collective commitment to securing representation of black, Asian and ethnic minority coaches and managers is realised.
"The Rooney Rule provided a lightning rod across the NFL and The FA and our Inclusion Advisory Board has been working with colleagues to develop a response which together creates a step change.
"The FA’s own whole-game backed initiative, the Coach bursary scheme, has been a key driver in increasing qualified, experienced coaches since 2011."
“It is only by collective action and shared responsibility that we will truly end discrimination”
Heather Rabbatts
The findings conclude, among other things, the introduction of mandatory new recruitment practices in Academy football that would make it compulsory for clubs to interview at least one BAME candidate, and a voluntary recruitment code for first-team football under which clubs would commit to interview a BAME candidate (where an application has been received) for any managerial or coaching position.
"A crucial component in achieving this is the Football League and its 72 clubs.
"This agreement which includes mandatory rules for recruitment into academies together with identifying volunteer clubs to pilot new procedures designed to include BAME candidates on shortlists is a crucial development to increase opportunity and representation.
"It is only by collective action and shared responsibility that we will truly end discrimination and open up the pathways for talent.
"At The FA, there is a commitment to developing coaches throughout Club England, providing more education and pro licence opportunities for BAME candidates enabling them to apply for jobs, working with the PFA and LMA on the job-ready list, supporting Kick It Out with it advocacy and campaigning, and with the Premier League on its Elite Coach Apprenticeship Scheme.
"We all play a role in making real our commitment to bring about change in this area.’
