Sky Blues striker becomes part of Kick It Out's 'Next 20' initiative across British football
City striker Callum Wilson has been announced as part of a new initiative, entitled the Next 20, launched by Kick It Out to champion 20 young football stars across the Premier League, Football League and Women’s Super League (WSL).
The Next 20, which was introduced as part of the organisation’s ‘Season of Action’ to mark its 20 year anniversary, will see players including Swansea City defender Ben Davies, Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson, Sheffield United defender Harry Maguire and Everton Ladies star Toni Duggan raise awareness of Kick It Out through a varied set of activities within the community.
The Coventry-born youngster, who studied at the President Kennedy School in the town, made his debut for the Sky Blues against Hartlepool in 2009.
The 21-year-old believes the multicultural upbringing he was afforded growing up in Coventry will hold him in good stead for being part of the Next 20 initiative.
“The Next 20 is a great opportunity for me to share my experiences with others,” said Callum.
“Growing up in the Midlands, I have been very lucky to have friends from all walks of life. I feel I can share with other people the benefits of having a tolerant and inclusive outlook on football.”
Lord Herman Ouseley, Chair of Kick It Out, is thankful that Callum and a host of others have decided to back the Next 20 programme and help progress the work of Kick It Out.
He said: “We have had great ambassadors over our 20 years of campaigning and we believe this generation of young footballers will help us in rooting out discriminatory behaviour in the game.”
Here is the list of the Next 20 players in full:
Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal)
Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Ladies)
Danny Rose (Barnsley)
Jason Lowe (Blackburn Rovers)
Dylan Lall (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea on loan at Nottingham Forest)
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea on loan at Everton)
Callum Wilson (Coventry City)
Toni Duggan (Everton Ladies)
Andre Wisdom (Liverpool on loan at Derby County)
Daniel Powell (MK Dons)
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
Nathan Redmond (Norwich City)
Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest)
Michael Harriman (Queens Park Rangers on loan at Gillingham)
Harry Maguire (Sheffield United)
Jack Butland (Stoke City FC on loan at Barnsley)
Ben Davies (Swansea City)
Wesley Foderingham (Swindon Town)
Romaine Sawyers (Walsall)