Kick It Out and BPP join forces for FA WSL collaboration

Friday 20 May 2016
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Kick It Out is delighted to announce a campaign with The FA Women’s Super League, supported by BPP University Limited (“BPP”), one of Europe’s largest providers of professional education.

The collaboration, which begins this season, will engage FA WSL 1 and 2 clubs and work proactively with all 19 teams.

Part of Kick It Out’s work is in promoting opportunities for women to work at all levels of football, both on and off the pitch, as well as enabling the game, as a whole, to be as accessible as possible.

BPP prides itself on its ethical culture and provisions for equal opportunities, and with its backing Kick It Out will be able to enhance its campaigning activities within the women’s game.

The clubs will be provided with complimentary resources to supplement their activities around promoting accessibility and inclusion across all areas of the game, in addition to promotional materials to highlight key equality messages.

Alongside the range of matchday activities, Kick It Out will work alongside the individual clubs to organise and host bespoke events with fans, clubs and players focusing on education and inclusion.

The collaboration hopes to enhance diversity amongst the supporter base, and increase the profile and popularity of the women’s game, which is already on the rise after the success of the Lionesses at last year’s World Cup.

Kick It Out features two WSL players in its ‘Next 20’ ambassadorial programme, who are role models in the game and support the organisation’s messages of equality and inclusion, in Manchester City’s Toni Duggan and Arsenal Ladies’ Jordan Nobbs.

BPP has enjoyed a close relationship with Kick It Out, having sponsored their schools competition during the 2014/15 season. Known as a forward thinking, progressive and innovative company, BPP gives professionals the tools to expand their capabilities, and this collaboration with The FA WSL and Kick It Out is seen as a way of expanding on the undoubted potential of the women’s game in this country.

Roisin Wood, Director of Kick It Out, said: “The sponsorship provided by BPP allows us to increase our reach across the game, and we are grateful for their continued support of our work.

“The evidential impact the organisation has had on the men’s game over the last 23 years has been significant, but it is important we don’t rest on our laurels, and continue to make the game accessible to everyone.

“The women’s game is going from strength-to-strength and we want to play our part in this growth and have a positive impact on The FA WSL.”

Katie Brazier, The FA’s head of women’s leagues and competitions, commented: “Women’s football is a welcoming and inclusive game and we’re pleased to be partnering with Kick It Out to further promote diversity within the FA WSL and our supporter base.

“We look forward to working with Kick It Out and our clubs on this campaign.”

Amanda Blackmore, Deputy Vice Chancellor of BPP University, added: “We are proud to be sponsoring such a positive and inclusive initiative which mirrors our values and the work of BPP Professional Education Group’s Inclusion team and its WILPower (Women in Leadership) network.

“BPP WILPower helps to promote female talent within BPP as well as highlighting female leaders as role models and the contribution women make to running successful businesses. For example, BPP University awarded an honorary doctorate to Sheila Edmunds, Club Founder of Doncaster Rovers Belles, to recognise her leadership roles and ongoing contribution to the success of women’s football.

“BPP educates men and women to achieve and exceed their career ambitions and celebrates and promotes talent no matter what sex, race, age or form that talent takes, so we are very pleased to have the opportunity to support this FA WSL and Kick It Out partnership.”

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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

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