Kick It Out statement on EFL's BAME Managers and Coaches proposals
Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion organisation, has released a statement after clubs at the English Football League’s (EFL) 2016 AGM, voted in changes to their recruitment practices to address the under-representation of qualified Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) coaches at Academy and first-team club level.
The statement from Kick It Out reads:
Kick It Out is fully supportive of the vote by EFL member clubs to increase employment opportunities for managers and coaches from a BAME background and wishes to congratulate all involved for this significant development.
There is an under-representation of BAME coaches and managers in English football and these new recruitment policies are a step in the right direction to address this issue and offer opportunities for those who wish to work in the industry.
Kick It Out was one of a number of sports and inclusion campaign organisations who engaged with the EFL on this matter during an extensive consultation, and we are delighted to see it being implemented in 2016/17.
Lord Herman Ouseley, Kick It Out Chair, said: “This is a ground-breaking decision by the English Football League that will ultimately be beneficial in introducing best recruitment practices in all football clubs, producing appointments to coaching and managerial positions on merit.
“It will also open up opportunities for BAME qualified coaches to be considered fairly by removing barriers and creating a level playing field.
“We welcome these reforms and would like to congratulate the English Football League Chairman Greg Clarke and staff behind the scenes, who have worked tirelessly on this.
“This is not a panacea to deliver proportionate number of BAME coaches and managers overnight, as some people argue for.
“However, it provides a first, but important, step towards giving confidence to qualified BAME coaches that they will have the opportunity to apply for vacancies, will be considered fairly on merit to be interviewed and will not be affected by bias and prejudice when final appointment decisions are made.”