A game for all...

South Asians in Football Working Group

The FA is seeking to appoint a new working group with deep knowledge of the football landscape and wider context of South Asian communities in order to inform its new ‘South Asians in Football Plan' due for release in Q1 2025 to coincide with the release of its new 4-year equality, diversity and inclusion strategy known as ‘A Game Free From Discrimination'.

To make a positive difference in the participation and inclusion of all South Asian communities across football. The FA aims to:

1. Raise awareness of pathways into football
2. Further embed South Asian inclusion into and across grassroots football
3. Develop opportunities to increase South Asian female participation
4. Create more engagement opportunities and communication interventions between The FA and wider communities
5. Present a holistic football wide ‘joint approach' wherever possible working closely with all football bodies and key stakeholders

The new South Asians in Football Working Group will be formed to work closely with The FA executive responsible for delivering the South Asians in Football Plan on the ground.

Key Accountabilities:

As part of the SAF Working Group, you will be required to:

• Be an advocate for The FA's equality, diversity and inclusion work as well as its South Asians in Football Plan; influencing and championing the work to contribute to its success.
• Debate issues, reflecting the views and interests of South Asian communities, whilst acting in the best interests of The FA.
• Be able to challenge and provide constructive guidance to the executive on inclusion and anti-discrimination matters in relations to South Asian representation in football and from time to time be willing to opine on complex matters where a committee decision may be required.
• Actively participate in implementation (where required and practically possible.)
• Assist The FA with improving communications and trust between SA communities and stakeholders and football bodies.

What We Are Looking For:

• A passion for equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A broad knowledge of the issues and challenges facing underrepresented groups in football particularly South Asian inclusion in the game (including knowledge and experience of inclusion of South Asian communities in wider industry settings outside of football.)
• Knowledge and thought leadership that is progressive and beneficial to the ongoing development of The FA's work in this area.
• A sound understanding of the modern game of football in its various forms and of the structures and processes within football.
• The ability to build and maintain constructive working relationships with others (including FA colleagues, colleagues from across the football family, wider stakeholders, campaigners and pressure groups.)
• A willingness to act in the best interests of The FA without regard to personal interest or benefit.

Candidates with specialist skills and intersectional knowledge of South Asian communities and across industries are of particular interest: 

• Protected characteristics such as race/ethnicity, gender, faith, disability, LGBTQ+ and wider characteristics.
• Sports industries of any type including grassroots, professional and elite sports.
• Media, entertainment and the arts.
• Government and public sector.
• Professional Services and corporate sectors.
• Academia and Research.
• Faith, religion and belief.

Time Commitment

As a minimum, SAF Working Group members should attend four meetings each year, typically at quarterly intervals. Meetings are usually held on a weekday at Wembley Stadium although at least one of these meetings may be held at The National Football Centre at St. George's Park near Burton-On-Trent. In addition, you may be asked to represent The FA at various events/forums.

Members will be appointed for a term of 18-24 months, after which they will be eligible for reappointment to a maximum of a further 24 months. The FA at its discretion can withdraw membership of members at any time.

This is a voluntary position, however, the successful candidate will be eligible to claim expenses as per the FA's expense policy.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the selection process, please mention this during your application.