Dozens of children, primarily from South Asian backgrounds, took part in a series of recent Premier League-led Emerging Talent Festivals as part of the South Asian Action Plan (SAAP).
Launched in the 2021/22 season, the SAAP is designed to help address the underrepresentation of British South Asian players within the Academy system. It is a core part of the League’s ambition to improving player pathways through the No Room For Racism Action Plan.
As highlighted by the recent four-year No Room For Racism Action Plan update, more than 3,000 children and 400 grassroots coaches have engaged in the South Asian Action Plan, with 24 Premier League and EFL clubs involved, reinforcing the League’s ongoing commitment to increasing diversity across all areas of football.
Regional events in Birmingham, Manchester and London are part of year-round initiatives to reduce barriers into playing pathways, and aim to drive tangible change in representation at Academy level.
Jack Bell, a Games Programme Events Consultant for the Premier League, helped organise a recent SAAP event in Birmingham.
Bell explained: “As part of the No Room For Racism campaign, the Premier League now do a series of festivals giving South Asian players the opportunity to play and ultimately see if there is a potential pathway to Academy football.”
The Birmingham events took place at Goals Black Country, as the Under-8s and Under-9s from local sides represented Aston Villa, Derby County and Walsall, in front of Academy coaches.
Derby’s Loan Recruitment Manager, James Lukic, was also in attendance. He emphasised the impact on the community of engaging with a demographic which is currently underrepresented across football.
“Derby has a large South Asian population, so for us to give an opportunity to players from that community is massive,” said Lukic.
“Going forward, it is something we will continue with. We want it to be sustained.
“This is a great organised tournament by the Premier League. We are more than happy to enter teams and play a part in it, and the lads are absolutely loving it.”
The South Asian Action Plan includes analysis and research to better understand what the current barriers to entry are for South Asian players, as well as providing equality, diversity and inclusion education sessions within the game.
But players from South Asian backgrounds remain underrepresented across the game.
'Having different cultures will help build the game'
Uthman Hussain, Academy Coach at Aston Villa, said: “Football is for everyone. It is everybody’s game, not just for certain individuals.
“Having everyone here, different cultures, will help build the game – not just for the players but for the sport itself.”
“Coming along today and seeing these events the Premier League are putting on is superb and something we really support," added Tom Churchill, the Under-9s Academy Coach at Walsall.
“We’ve come here because we think it’s important to support events such as this for the community and represent our area.”
In May, the top players from grassroots clubs will be selected to represent professional teams at the National Premier League Emerging Talent Festival.
