The Sky Blues vote in favour of new measures to support equality and diversity within the game...
Coventry City FC Executive Vice Chairman, Chris Anderson attended the English Football League AGM this week. One of the major issues on the agenda was tackling the under-representation of coaches and managers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
As part of the 2016 AGM, the Sky Blues and a number of EFL clubs have approved proposals aimed at tackling under-representation within football.
The new measures, which will take immediate effect, include the introduction of mandatory new recruitment practices for coaching positions in Academy football and a Voluntary Recruitment Code in first team football, which will be piloted by Coventry City as well as at least 10 other clubs during 2016/17.
Having given 'in principle' support to the introduction of positive action measures aimed at promoting diversity in coaching positions 12 months ago, Coventry City have now formally endorsed a set of proposals finalised during the 2015/16 season by a working party of clubs, led by EFL departing Chairman, Greg Clarke.
Clubs piloting the Voluntary Recruitment Code during 2016/17:
Championship: Birmingham City, Fulham, Huddersfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
League One: Chesterfield, Coventry City, Millwall and Peterborough United.
League Two: Accrington Stanley and Carlisle United.
In welcoming the support of clubs for the proposals, Greg Clarke said: “It is clear to us that we currently have an under-representation of BAME managers and coaches at club level and it is therefore the right time to take proportionate action to ensure the best talent, from all backgrounds, is given a fair opportunity to enter and progress through the system.
"I believe this is an important moment for sport in this country and I'm very proud that it is our clubs that are leading the way. They have done the right thing and deserve considerable credit.
Chris Anderson said: “Coventry City Football Club has a proud tradition of embracing the diversity among our local community and in the wider Coventry and Warwickshire area.
“We are excited to be one of four League One clubs to champion this initiative and hope it can go some way to addressing the imbalance that exists within football.”