Premier League & Kick It Out Team Up To Educate Academy Players

- Will be rolled out to all Premier League clubs within the next two years 

- Kick It Out will launching young player’s app to report issues 

- Activities to be promoted via #EqualityInspires 

The Premier League and Kick It Out have today launched their new education programme as part of Academy Awareness Weekend, which will see players from Under 11s – Under 21s teams, as well as parents and academy staff engaged on equality and diversity issues. 

The comprehensive programme which raises awareness of discrimination in all its forms and how it can be challenged, also highlights the dangers of social media and the impact of changing room 'banter'. 

The aim of which is to create a positive and inclusive environment for players, free from discrimination and exclusion. 

Speaking ahead of the fixtures, Roisin Wood, Director of Kick It Out, stressed the importance of spreading the messages of equality to all involved within the Academy football structure. 

“We are pleased that all Premier League Academies will be involved in our Academy Awareness Weekend on 10/11 October. This weekend is part of a wider partnership between Kick It Out and the Premier League as we educate both football’s future and their key influences off the pitch. 

“Education and awareness of inclusion is an important element of a young player’s career, coupled with Academy staff and parents, we are striving to create an inclusive and respectful environment and that will benefit football throughout. “We’re really looking forward to highlighting our work this weekend and showing how equality can inspire all.” 

Premier League Head of Education, Martyn Heather, added: “The Premier League’s objective is to ensure that the new education programme, developed in partnership with Kick It Out, has been rolled out to all our clubs within two years. 

“The Academy Awareness Weekend gives both Kick It Out and ourselves the chance to showcase the work being undertaken in deterring discriminatory behaviour by the players on and off the pitch and by those surrounding them at club level or at home. It also educates them on inclusion and how to conduct themselves.” 

A weekend of activities, taking place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October, 2015, will see clubs dedicate their Academy Programme fixtures to football’s equality and inclusion organisation. 

These activities include match officials wearing Kick It Out branded t-shirts, information leaflets, joint team photos, respect handshakes prior to the game and a parent-focused educational session led by Kick It Out’s Education and Development Manager, Troy Townsend, prior to the Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford academy game on Sunday. 

Troy reaffirmed the need for further understanding of equality and inclusion ahead of the Academy games. 

“With the education programme introduced by the Premier League and Kick It Out, we can begin to play an important role in the development of not only young players but academy staff, as well as helping parents create a real positive mind set around their son’s journey through the Academy structure.” 

The Awareness Weekend demonstrates football's commitment to addressing discrimination in the game, and through the support of all the Premier League Academies playing across the country will assist in promoting how #EqualityInspires. 

Kick It Out will also be launching a young player’s app, which will provide a platform for the confidential reporting of discrimination and abuse should the players see, hear or be the victim of such actions.