Mark aims to make big impact in Kick It Out role

Friday 25 Jul 2014
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Mark Healy has joined the Kick It Out organisation in the new role of Grassroots and Community Development Officer. In his new position, Mark is determined to make a difference in the game he cares passionately about.

“I am very excited about joining Kick It Out as I have always regarded them as being at the forefront of the advancement of Equality and Inclusion within my favourite sport,” Mark began.

“I am joining an energised and innovative team which I am planning to make a real contribution to as it strives to deliver on its aims and vision. My role will be to spread the key Kick It Out messages among the Grassroots and the Community.”

Mark joins the organisation after leaving his previous role at Essex County FA and has an impressive background in equality work.

“My last role was as Inclusion Officer for a large County FA working towards achieving the Preliminary level of the Equality Standards for sport. I also helped establish the inaugural Inclusion Advisory Group and delivering the first Community Road show in the county.

“I have nearly five years experience as a development manager for the English Federation of Disability Sport, where I explored and delivered opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport, so I believe I understand the complexities involved in sport at grassroots level.”

Mark also spoke of his commitment to helping at the amateur level when away from the day job with Kick It Out.

“In a voluntary capacity I have coached, managed and Chaired grassroots football and coached my daughter’s team. I also volunteer at the East Region Disability Junior Athletics Championships each year which attracts over 300 athletes. It means a great deal I can contribute to my local community at home and to others across the country through my work here at Kick It Out.

With Kick It Out’s ‘Season of Action’ focusing on grassroots and community, Mark believes that creating stronger bonds with the people at the heart of the sport will be crucial in raising awareness of the organisation’s initiative.

“Millions of people are playing football and the majority of these are at grassroots and community level and this is the area where Kick It Out can have the biggest impact.

“Unfortunately, the number of incidents of discrimination grows year on year and Kick It Out are working hard to instil confidence that these reports are being investigated.

“It is vital to engage with those groups within local communities and to understand what are the barriers which stops them for playing and then to employ initiatives for them to participate.”

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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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