Adidas has linked up with British rapper, singer and songwriter Stormzy to launch #Merky FC – a programme committed to enhancing and protecting diverse representation in the football industry.
The programme will focus on addressing the lack of diversity on and off the pitch within football, providing access to a host of multi-year, paid professional placements across the industry.
The collaboration will look to draw on adidas’ football expertise, and Stormzy’s ‘experience in creating equality in education and the workplace for young people of Black heritage.’
The programme has already announced that it has brought together 10 leading brands, including Manchester United, Fulham and Sky Sports, to form part of the careers programme that will commence in January 2023. Each organisation will provide work placements from operations and community to creative and marketing within their businesses, in a bid to change the game.
The launch of #Merky FC comes as research commissioned by adidas with FARE Network reveals just 6.7% of senior roles in football are taken by someone who identifies as Black or mixed Black heritage, a stark contrast to the 39% of Premier League players that identify as black or mixed black heritage.
In 2020, Stromzy pledged £10m to UK organisations, charities and movements over 10 years to tackle racial inequality, justice reform and black empowerment.
On announcing the programme, Stromzy said, “We barely see any black team managers, coaches, sports presenters, assistants, ops managers, sales managers, accountants, marketing managers or physiotherapists – the list goes on, nor are many of us even aware of the vast roles available within the football industry.
“Through the #Merky FC initiative we hope to inspire real change within this field as part of my wider commitment to support racial equality in the UK. With the support of adidas and the additional 10 partners, we will be in a position to aid the people who may have experienced disadvantages during their football career pathway. We strongly encourage other companies to join us in our mission.”
Adidas added, “We are passionate about providing inclusive opportunities to young talent in the UK. We are proud to be working in partnership with Stormzy to introduce #Merky FC, an initiative that directly tackles some of the biggest barriers facing UK youth in football today, by creating a legacy of career opportunities off the pitch alongside the other partners.
“Along with the support of our network of adidas partners, we are committed to fighting for equal representation in football, and this launch is only the beginning for #Merky FC. Watch this space.”
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