As part of our South Asian Heritage Month celebrations, we are shining a light on the incredible work of two of our LeaderBoard Leicester candidates, Anju and Cham who have both helped to promote ethnic diversity within the sport and physical activity sector.
Shaping and Influencing the FA
Cham is a practising Sikh and growing up found it apparent that there was a lack of Sikh role models within the sector. He found that many Sikhs within the sport and physical activity sector had changed their appearance to help advance their careers. While coaching at GNG Leicester, Cham joined a strategy group. He then became aware that many Sikh players were being told they couldn’t wear the Kara (iron / steel bracelets) while playing football. Often this came from referees who were not familiar with the FA’s criteria for diverse communities playing football. Cham has spread awareness of his own faith and cultural practices by writing a policy to support the wearing of the Kara. Cham has also helped players from Hindu faiths by drafting policies around Tulsi beads. The work Cham has done has been widely welcomed by parents within the local community as they could show the policy as guidance to referees or opposition if their child was being challenged around items of religious clothing. This in turn has helped to create a more inclusive environment for South Asian players. Click to view the guidance here.
Graduation Gold
Anju completed the LeaderBoard Leicester programme while she was studying Business Management at the University of Leicester and has recently graduated achieving a 2.1. Anju wrote her dissertation ‘Investigating the underrepresentation of Black, Asian, and Ethnic females in Leadership and Management positions in the UK football industry’. Her research included insight from her fellow LeaderBoard Leicester candidates Rukhsana and Aura. In addition to this, LeaderBoard England Alumni Simran and Lipa were interviewed. Throughout her research Anju refers to Sporting Equals Race Representation Index and the lack of representation from ethnically diverse women within boards and senior leadership in sport. Anju makes several recommendations as to how leadership and management positions within the UK football industry can recruit more diverse talent. This includes the use of diverse role models, fostering new language and being open to education. In addition that equality, diversity, and inclusion now be embedded into workplace culture and pathways and partnerships through schools and universities be developed. Anju’s full dissertation can be viewed by clicking here.
