Project to boost participation in football sees Redbridge women score
15 Asian women were supported to complete their FA Level 1 in Coaching Football qualification - Credit: Archant
Women’s football is now the country’s fourth-largest participation sport - and Redbridge residents are benefitting from an increased spotlight on the activity.
Recently 15 Asian women from the borough completed their FA Level 1 in Coaching Football qualification, thanks to a new project.
A collaboration of organisations, including the Essex County FA, set out to tackle low levels of sporting participation among women belonging to minority ethnic groups in Redbridge.
London Sport, the Muslimah Sports Association and Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure joined the County FA to deliver the six-month project.
The women will now take their first steps into sport coaching after receiving tailored and targeted support to develop specialist football coaching skills and to enhance their ability to represent the needs and considerations of their communities.
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Mark Healy of Vision said: “This is a clear example of just what can be achieved through a collaborative approach.
“There is a worrying lack of Asian women coaches nationally and across all sports.
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“This project has used an effective approach which can now be replicated to make a wider positive change.”
Facing one of the highest levels of inactivity in London, Redbridge’s above average concentration of Asian residents made it a key environment to explore the role of local coaches in getting less active people into physical activity and sport, a spokesman said.
Andrew Crowl, Essex County FA Coaching Development Officer, said: “This project highlighted the successful partnerships which have been established in the local area and we look forward to supporting these individuals on their continuing coaching journey.
“This can be a springboard for further participation and workforce development across our London boroughs, particularly for women and individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds.”
Cindi Chatha, Essex County FA Equality & Inclusion Officer, added: “These ladies are not only inspiring others, but are role models to the next generation of women from a BAME background.
“We hope this inspires others to actively participate within football.”
If you’d like to find out more information about a route into football coaching, follow @EssexCountyFA on Twitter or search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.
