As part of the Premier League Futures programme, 12 current or former Academy players travelled to Nike’s global headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, for a four-day, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
There, they learned about working for a leading sports brand and the roles they may want to consider as and when their playing career concludes.
The initiative supports a core part of the Premier League No Room For Racism Action Plan, which seeks to enhance executive career pathways for under-represented groups.
“The players have been selected for their leadership qualities, attributes and characteristics,” said David Rainford, Head of Education and Academy Player Care for the Premier League.
“As a former player myself, programmes such as Premier League Futures play an important role in equipping and empowering our young players to make those transitions beyond playing when the time comes.”
Premier League Futures is a 12-month development programme open to current and former Academy players across men's and women's football aged 18-24 years.
The programme helps participants to develop personally and professionally so they can be prepared for successful lives and careers after their time in youth football.
The Futures programme aims to support career planning and broaden opportunities beyond playing, develop leadership and personal growth, and champion inclusivity and diversity within the football industry.
The trip to Beaverton included an exclusive campus tour, fitness and training sessions, a visit to the iconic Nike archives, and hands-on workshops focused on product innovation and marketing, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s leading sports brands.
Premier League Futures participants Tarik Gidaree and Alex Wollerton both emphasised the support provided by the Futures programme.
'Premier League has offered support'
“We have been learning about the many and numerous roles Nike have within the company,” said Gidaree.
“How the company is run from top to bottom, bottom to top and inside and out.”
Wollerton addd: “Both my club [formerly Leeds United] and the Premier League have supported my career in giving me excellent platforms.
“First to play football and secondly the Premier League Futures programme, which has supported me in my next journey within business.”
Zoe Walters, Premier League Futures participant, highlighted the importance of young people like herself thinking of life after football.
“It is really important because I think football isn’t forever and we need to think about what we are going to do afterwards,” she said.
“So seeing the potential career paths I could take and also networking, I think it is important for all athletes to think beyond football because there will come a time where we are not going to be doing that anymore and the Premier League has really helped me with that.”
The Premier League is committed to diversifying the workforce across football and has published a four-year update on its No Room For Racism Action Plan, outlining progress across all six pillars.
Premier League Futures has supported 35 male and female players to date, with 20 per cent of the League’s workforce from ethnically diverse backgrounds (up from 12 per cent in 2021), and two members of the Board (40 per cent of the Board).
At the other end of players’ careers, the Professional Player to Coach Scheme supports former players from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, as well as women, who have an ambition to coach.
The Premier League is reinforcing its commitment to reducing discrimination and promoting diversity through No Room For Racism, with all Premier League matches between 5 and 14 April highlighting the campaign.
