Manchester Communications Academy – 1 November

Former Hull City boss Phil Brown insisted initiatives such as Kick It Out’s ‘Raise Your Game’ series are ‘absolutely essential’ when it comes to enhancing the skillsets of individuals looking for pathways into the game as he carried out a coaching masterclass in Manchester.

Ex-Bolton Wanderers assistant manager Brown, who has also had spells in charge of Derby County and Preston North End previously, delivered a number of intensive passing drills as he talked to aspiring coaches watching on about the merits of picking up fresh training methods from colleagues at all levels of football before leading a mentoring workshop.

“From a personal perspective, I’ve had a great day,” said Brown, a right-back with Hartlepool United, Halifax Town, Bolton and Blackpool during his playing days. “These types of workshops are absolutely essential. I hope the coaches who watched the masterclass and those I spoke to in the mentoring sessions looking to make their way in other areas of the game have left with one or two bits of advice.

“It’s been very much a two-way street for me. In fact, I’ve probably got more out of it than anyone! I’ve had the opportunity to get out on the field with a very receptive set of players and to help tutor a number of enthusiastic coaches. Campaigns such as Kick It Out and Show Racism the Red Card are an absolute necessity when it comes to helping carry out this great work at the grassroots.”

Hosted at the Manchester Communications Academy, the event, held in conjunction with the Black and Asian Coaches Association (BACA), Manchester County FA and Abraham Moss Warriors, brought together people from across Manchester looking to gain advice and qualifications as they aim to break into the industry away from the playing side of the game.

Following on from recent instalments in Leeds, Gravesend and Wolverhampton, the ‘Raise Your Game’ series, running as part of Kick It Out’s Mentoring and Leadership Project, combines mentoring sessions covering areas such as coaching, administration, refereeing, journalism and community work, with FA workshops in First Aid, and Safeguarding and Child Protection.

“When it comes to getting a step ahead in this industry, visibility is key,” commented former Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion defender Brendon Batson, who now heads up The FA’s COACH bursary scheme and acted as a mentor on the day. “If you’re out there getting qualifications and putting yourself in the right places, you’ll find there are opportunities. It’s very much about networking and following up the different links you establish.”

With one workshop remaining at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground tomorrow (2 November), Troy Townsend, Mentoring and Leadership Project manager, gave an overview of how he feels the inaugural ‘Raise Your Game’ series has run.

“The workshops we’ve held in Leeds, Gravesend, Wolverhampton and now Manchester have all been a big success,” said Troy. “The participants have shown a real thirst for knowledge, and it’s encouraging to see there is such an appetite to break into the industry outside of the playing side of the game.

“Providing people with this platform is crucial. We want them to come to these events and feel inspired to push on and progress in their specific area. From what I’ve seen on our travels, the future generation of our game rests in safe hands.”

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"We have a responsibility as players to give something back and I’m really thankful to be part of this organisation because we can do a lot of good."
Jack Butland, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“A big part of my involvement with Kick It Out stems from my strong admiration for the organisation’s commitment to fairness and equality.”
Clive Tyldesley, football commentator
“It was Kick It Out that convinced the people in football that change was possible.”
Greg Dyke, former FA chairman
“I wanted to thank the campaigners at Kick It Out for their work. I know first-hand how Kick It Out can help.”
Yaya Toure, Manchester City midfielder
“It is important for me in my role as a Kick It Out ‘Next 20’ ambassador to teach young people how to handle discrimination and treat people with respect.”
Romelu Lukaku, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“It is a massive honour for me to be an ambassador for such a great organisation. I think they do great work on and off the field.”
Toni Duggan, 'Next 20' Ambassador
"It really helped me to see that other professional sports people were acknowledging their sexuality. I read about John Amaechi, Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley. They weren't footballers but the fact that they went public gave me the feeling that I was not alone."
Thomas Hitzlsperger, former Aston Villa midfielder
"There was no conflict between religion and the fact that I wanted to play football. I was brought up correctly and in the right way and my parents are very proud of the fact that I am a professional footballer."
Sadio Mané, Liverpool winger
“I think it’s important to share success stories and realise that there are women operating in the game. If it’s something you want to do, you can do it.”
Ffion Eade, Hampshire FA referee
"I've had loads of negative comments from men, especially growing up. It's just boring and old. Times have changed, and they continue to change. Women play football, and they're good at it, and have been for a number of years.”
Kelly Smith, England Women's record goalscorer
"Despite the progress, stereotypes still exist in football and until that is broken down it will be extremely difficult for a woman to manage a top level men's team."
Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
"There’s no hiding that there is sexism in sport. We have a lack of women right across all levels of management, playing and coaching. It shows the closed nature of sport in general and this includes the media. It’s an indictment of sport as a whole."
Rimla Akhtar, Kick It Out trustee and Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
“I’m proud to be a supporter of Kick It Out and particularly the work they are doing to combat antisemitism within football.”
Joe Jacobson, Wycombe Wanderers midfielder
"With Kick It Out leading the way football is standing up and fighting against those who preach hatred and intolerance and we at Chelsea are proud to support their work."
Bruce Buck, Chelsea Football Club Chairman