BACA supports Rooney Rule
The Black and Asian Coaches Association (BACA) has backed moves to introduce a version of the Rooney Rule into English football.
The group, set up in the wake of Keith Alexander’s untimely death in 2010 to lobby for greater ethnic representation amongst black and ethnic minority coaches and managers, is encouraging grass roots support to the PFA and Kick It Out in its efforts to adopt a version of the Rooney Rule, which has helped NFL clubs in the US to interview black candidates when coaching positions become available.
BACA’s founder, Dr Colin King, said: “The Rooney Rule has the potential to inspire a generation of coaches from diverse backgrounds to embrace change. It represents positive action not positive discrimination towards changing a culture that unwittingly has not lead to a multi-racial workforce.
“BACA was set up to give a voice to representatives from all areas of the game about the changes needed to lead to positive change. Our survey revealed that over 70% felt the Rooney Rule if properly explained and implemented would lead to the vision of a colour-blind as opposed colour specific industry.
“An equal number felt that equality in football had created more barrier and hurdles to jump and the over qualified coaches without any equitable employment pathways.”
King continued: “Whilst the Bosman ruling appeared to have liberated players from the restrictions of their contract, the deeper civil liberty and employment realities in the transition from playing to management have not been addressed in terms of how race is played out.
“The spirit of Gordon Taylor, similar to the spirit of President Johnson, similar to the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, has awakened an industry and a country to see that it cannot be meritocratic if it is simply based on friendship.”
