The FA recently announced a £1.4m investment over the next five years, to get more aspiring coaches from BAME communities into the licensed coaching system, at the elite level, which Allison will now lead.
In a career spanning 22 years, he played at numerous clubs including Watford, Swindon Town and Sheffield United, before stepping in to various management roles with clubs such as Bury and Tranmere Rovers. He joined The FA in 2012 as coaching research manager, a role he will continue to oversee.
Allison will also lead the new BAME coach apprenticeship appointments – an initiative that it is hoped will give BAME coaches various opportunities to gain experience of working within the men’s and women’s England development teams, as well as the grassroots and elite coaching departments at The FA.
Dr Wayne Allison during his playing days
Brendon Batson MBE, who has led work on the COACH Bursary programme since its launch in 2012, will continue to work with Allison in an ambassadorial role, helping ensure that leagues, clubs and coaches in the game are supportive of the new work.
Allison said: “It is an honour and privilege to take on this role and continue the good work undertaken by Brendon, and I am delighted he will still be heavily involved in the programme.
“The investment over the next five years means we can now drive the project forward helping develop greater opportunities and improve prospects for BAME coaches, especially in the professional game.”
The FA Board recently approved a Voluntary Recruitment Code which The FA has committed to delivering for all senior technical and coaching appointments. Allison, who will report to The FA head of education Chris Earle, will also work with colleagues internally to ensure this line of work is implemented.
