KICK IT OUT (KIO), English football’s equality and inclusion organisation, is about to launch its revised, updated and renamed Inclusive Leadership in Football Award for the new season as its learning partnership with Solent University continues.  

With its first intake of students in 2015, this learning programme, previously known as The Equality and Diversity Awareness in Football Award, has over 200 successful recipients so far.  

Osei Sankofa, former professional player, a recipient of the award, and now Kick It Out’s Education Officer said: “This learning opportunity really is the industry standard for anyone who is serious about equality and has a desire to effect meaningful change in football’s various workplaces.  

 This is a vital addition to the CV of anyone who aspires to become and inclusive leader within the football industry.

Kick It Out

“So far we have had participants from every part of the professional game, from administrators to referees, and from supporter groups to retired players. 

The principal aim of this course is to equip football’s leaders with the knowledge and skills that are needed in the creation and maintenance of truly diverse and inclusive teams and organisations.  

Unique

KIO’s partnership with Solent University’s Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Sciences, enables them to offer this unique, interactive learning opportunity through Solent Online Learning, the university’s virtual learning platform.  

The course includes a wide variety of resources, expert advice and one-to one tutoring. 

Within the six modules of study participants investigate and consider: 

• language and its power  
• football and the law, in which a leading barrister offers insights and advice 
• the wide-ranging and diverse impacts of discriminatory behaviour 
• ways in which effective leaders can help team members to avoid casual, unthinking discrimination 
• personal next steps, based on what has been learnt 

Past participants have spoken of having developed a deeper understanding of the issues affecting equality and inclusion in football as well as the nature and impact of leadership within the game.  

Course blog competition winner Marley Rodney, a student at Solent University, said: “This truly has been a very big eye opener, in a sense that I was completely unaware about so many concepts regarding inclusive leadership until now.” 

Information

He added: “I’ve picked up so much new information that will definitely be very important for not just the short term, but the rest of my life.” 

Roisin Wood, CEO of Kick It Out said: “This is a vital addition to the CV of anyone who aspires to become and inclusive leader within the football industry, as a coach and at all levels and in all departments of clubs and organisations which are truly committed to equality and inclusion.” 

Prospective candidates must be working or volunteering within the football industry, or studying full-time for a qualification related to work in football. They must be able to commit to completing an online course over a period of up to eight weeks.  

To find out more, and how to secure a place on the course please contact Osei Sankofa by email at: [email protected] 

The closing date for applications is September 21 at 5pm. The course itself starts on October 8 and ends November 30.