Over 200 coaches have visited Wembley and St. George's Park in the last month for the Black Asian Coaches Association (BACA) and FA Licenced Coaches Club conference.
And on Friday, coaches from across the game got together at the National Football Centre to hear from new BAME project manager, Wayne Allison, technical director Dan Ashworth.
PFA chairman, Gordon Taylor, also attended before a closing address from Dr Colin King.
Steve Smithies, FA regional coach mentor manager, said:" It's been hugely positive to see so many coaches both here at SGP and at Wembley over the last few weeks and it really shows not just the interest, but the talented BAME coaches we have.
COACH Bursary Programme – 2012-15 Report
“We've had coaches here all the way from Level 1 to Pro Licence, and even unqualified coaches looking to start their careers.
"We just want to be able to help them by offering advice on how we can help them progress."
"We’ve also had young people here from community football groups, both from Birmingham Continental Star and West Ham in the Community, a couple of projects The FA are supporting. For them to visit St. George’s Park has been truly inspiring.
The events come shortly after The FA announced it will be investing more than £1.4 million over the next five seasons to get more aspiring coaches from BAME communities into the licensed coaching system, at the elite level.
This comprises BAME COACH bursaries, funding between 80-90 per cent of the total course costs at UEFA B, UEFA A, Pro licence and Advanced Youth Award levels.
The coaches gather at St. George's Park
The investment includes three full-time fixed-term BAME appointments each season, to gain experience working within The FA’s Technical Division, including England Development Teams.
And at the home of the England senior team, Wembley Stadium, there was also a panel session with Chris Hughton and Chris Ramsay in the learning zone, with Kick it Out chairman Lord Ouseley a keynote speaker.
“It’s also been great to have representation from the likes of the PFA, Kick it Out , Sporting Equals and the LMA to really consolidate the collaboration the stakeholders have in being committed to this," continued Smithies.
"There’s a fantastic amount of energy in what we’re doing both for the BAME community and wider football community that we’re supporting.”
