Mark aims to make big impact in Kick It Out role
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.”