To support the strategy update, Watford Women footballer Rosie Kmita, Mansfield Town footballer Mal Benning, Aldershot Town Assistant Manager Anwar Uddin, presenter Seema Jaswal and FA Head of Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Programmes, Dal Darroch, came together to discuss the continued importance of increasing Asian participation and inclusion in English football.

You can watch the roundtable discussion here:

The second phase of ‘Bringing Opportunities to Communities’ launched in April 2019, focusing on ensuring more people from Asian communities play a bigger part in English football.

Asian communities comprise the largest ethnic minority group in the UK and within grassroots football, male and female Asian participation [aged 16+] is now at 10.7% and 13.5% respectively.

However, the number of professional players of Asian heritage is significantly lower, meaning tackling Asian underrepresentation at all levels of the game remains a key priority for The FA.

The strategy report, which can be viewed here, highlights progress being made across five pillars:

The FA and its culture: Making Asian inclusion a priority across the organisation, including the appointment of Rupinder Bains as FA Board Champion for Asian inclusion

Pathways: Raising awareness of pathways into the game, providing bursaries to coaches looking to progress their qualifications. We have maintained our Coaching Bursary Programme and, among multiple achievements, 2020 saw the first two female Asian coaches funded onto the UEFA ‘A’ Licence

Grassroots football: Regular dialogue and public consultation with stakeholders from eight diverse counties across England, with the voices of local communities built into our Asian inclusion strategy; and ensuring Asian inclusion is embedded as a priority at all levels of the game, from County FA Inclusion Advisory Groups to governance structures, as outlined in the County FA Code of Governance which launched in 2020

Women and girls: Focusing on recruiting, developing and raising the profile of future leaders and role models, including the creation of an Asian Female National Advisory Group; while ensuring more girls have an enjoyable introduction to football within schools and local clubs

Engagement: Improving engagement with Asian communities through a partnership with BritAsia TV to deliver a series of awareness campaigns; facilitating the creation of the Apna England fan club; and bringing faith communities together through events including an Iftar for the Muslim community

Dal Darroch, The FA’s Head of Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Programmes said: “We know that Asian communities are the most under-represented ethnic minority group in many areas of the game, and we are passionate about and dedicated to ensuring our game is for all.

“We’re proud of the progress made so far, but there is more to be done and we will continue to work closely with Asian communities and our stakeholders so that we can strive to make our game truly inclusive.”