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Kick It Out held their sixth national Raise Your Game conference at the Emirates on Tuesday (19 April) with aspiring individuals from across the country hearing first-hand from a range of football industry experts.

The day started with an introduction from BBC Sport presenter Manish Bhasin, before he welcomed a number of guests to the stage for interviews about their own journey.

Rebecca James, who is now employed in Arsenal’s communications team, spoke about her path to working in the industry and the impact Raise Your Game had had on her career after she attended events in 2014 and 2015.

Manish then spoke to Warren Houghton, from talkSPORT, and former mentee Anthony Hay, who now works for Daily Mail online.

Lorna Falconer, Logistics Manager at Brentford FC, was then joined on stage by Emma Vetriano, who now works alongside Lorna at Griffin Park as Marketing Manager. Lorna had previously mentored Emma at RYG and they both spoke about their routes into the industry.

Tony Carr MBE then spoke about his incredible career at West Ham United, where he’s developed countless young players at the club’s famous Academy.

Kit Symons, former Fulham manager, Kirsty Hulland, General Manager at Birmingham City Ladies, Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror sports reporter,  Kadeem Simonds, The Morning Star’s Sports Editor, Rachel Downie, The Morning Star’s Sports Editor and former Wimbledon striker Marcus Gayle, were all mentors offering advice and guidance.

It was then into the morning’s one:one sessions where the mentees had a chance to speak to the mentors gathered in the impressive Woolwich Suite at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, three workshops were running focusing on media, careers in football advice and coaching.

Experienced journalist Lou Sutton and Shelley Alexander, Editorial Lead on Women’s Sport for BBC delivered the morning media session, before experienced ITV broadcaster Clive Tyldesley took over afternoon duties.

Former Charlton Athletic First Team Coach Damian Matthew was upstairs, meanwhile, talking about his journey from playing football as a child in the playground to becoming a coach at a Championship club.

Toby French, Career Consultant, at careersinfootball.com, delivered a specialist football career workshop to help mentees achieve their dream of working in the football industry.

A short lunch break broke up the day before mentees swapped with those who attended workshops in the morning, moving to the main room for their one:one mentoring sessions.

Troy Townsend, Education and Development Manager at Kick It Out, said: “Once again the event shows the appetite that so many people have to work in football.

“My thanks go to our tremendous mentors for again giving up their time to attend and share their experiences. You can’t put a price on that knowledge and information that’s being passed on. And also to Arsenal for once again allowing us to host Raise Your Game in such a magnificent venue.

“The feedback from mentees, who attended for either the first time or visited to see us again, has been excellent, and we look forward to staying in touch with them to hear of their future success.”

Photo Credit: Julian Rouse (London RPS)

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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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