Sky Sports and Kick It Out Renew Their Commitment to Promoting Inclusivity in Football

Sky Sports and Kick It Out have reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a more welcoming environment in football by extending their partnership for an additional year. This renewed commitment marks the sixth year of collaboration between the two organisations, with a continued investment of £1 million in a combination of financial and value-in-kind support aimed at combating discrimination and creating career opportunities within the sport. Over the past year, Sky Sports has provided backing for numerous Kick It Out initiatives, including the launch of the 'Football United' strategy, a five-year plan unveiled in September. This strategy aims to promote unity and inclusivity in football, with Sky Sports playing a pivotal role in its implementation. Other supported initiatives include the introduction of a new partnership with Guinness 0.0, designed to make pubs more welcoming, and the development of The Academy, an online education platform. The 'Raise Your Game' programme, which offers young individuals from underrepresented communities the chance to take their first steps in football, has also received significant support from Sky Sports. Bela Shah, a Sky Sports News presenter, has been instrumental in mentoring two delegates, Elliott-Jay Henry and Razaq Folarin, who co-hosted their first event after meeting Bela at the Sky Sports Studios in Osterley. Razaq praised Bela's guidance, stating that her advice was invaluable. Furthermore, Sky Sports has assisted in promoting Kick It Out's partnership with Guinness 0.0, which seeks to train thousands of Greene King staff in creating a more inclusive environment in pubs and identifying football-related discrimination. Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison was the main attraction at the launch event, held at a Greene King pub in Westminster. In November, Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth hosted Kick It Out's Media Raise Your Game event at the UCFB's Wembley campus, where a record number of attendees participated in a workshop delivered by producer Maryam Chaudhary and reporter Chris Reidy. Additionally, Sky Sports has produced a documentary about the life and legacy of Lord Herman Ouseley, the founder of Kick It Out, who passed away in October 2024. The film, which aims to educate younger audiences about Lord Ouseley's impact on the sport, was broadcast on Sky Sports and shown at England's game against Latvia in March 2025, coinciding with what would have been his 80th birthday. Sky's creative team also provided digital support to highlight his legacy on LED screens around Wembley Stadium. This partnership is part of Sky's £30 million commitment to addressing structural inequality, with the company's multimillion-pound investment in Kick It Out supporting various initiatives over the past six years. These include a joint scholarship programme with the University of Liverpool Management School, which has enabled eight candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to earn an MBA in Football Industries. The partnership has also invested in Kick It Out's digital learning platform, The Academy, which has delivered educational content on equality, diversity, and inclusion to nearly 5,000 individuals. Hollie Varney, COO of Kick It Out, expressed her gratitude for Sky's ongoing support, stating that the partnership has provided unique education and development opportunities for underrepresented communities in football. She emphasized that this aligns with the heart of their 'Football United' strategy, which aims to create a more reflective and inclusive industry. David Carrigan, Group Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at Sky, reiterated the company's long-term commitment to tackling structural inequality in football. He highlighted the importance of using Sky's platform and influence to create opportunities, amplify voices, and challenge discrimination. Sky Sports is dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for comment and debate on its social media platforms, free from abuse, hate, and profanity. The company encourages users to report any instances of hate speech or discriminatory content, ensuring that its online spaces remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans.