Sky Sports and Kick It Out Renew Their Partnership

Sky Sports and Kick It Out have announced a one-year extension of their partnership, marking six years of collaborative efforts to create a more welcoming environment in football. The renewed partnership, valued at £1m, combines cash and in-kind support to tackle discrimination and foster career opportunities within the sport. Over the past year, Sky Sports has provided backing for several Kick It Out initiatives, including the launch of the 'Football United' strategy, a new partnership with Guinness 0.0, and the online education platform, The Academy. Additionally, Sky Sports has supported the Raise Your Game programme, which offers young people from underrepresented communities a chance to break into the football industry. Notable events include the launch of 'Football United', attended by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, and the unveiling of the Guinness 0.0 partnership, featuring Clinton Morrison. Sky Sports News presenter Bela Shah has also played a key role in mentoring programme delegates. Furthermore, Sky Sports has helped produce a documentary about Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, highlighting his impact on the organisation over the past three decades. The film was showcased on Sky Sports and at England's match against Latvia, coinciding with what would have been Lord Ouseley's 80th birthday. Sky's £30m commitment to addressing structural inequality has enabled significant investments in Kick It Out initiatives, including a joint scholarship programme with the University of Liverpool Management School and ongoing support for The Academy digital learning platform. Hollie Varney, COO of Kick It Out, expressed gratitude for Sky's ongoing support, emphasizing the partnership's role in providing education and development opportunities for underrepresented communities in football. David Carrigan, Group Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at Sky, reiterated the company's long-term commitment to driving inclusivity in the sport, leveraging Sky's platform to create opportunities and challenge discrimination. Sky Sports remains dedicated to maintaining a hate-free environment on its social media channels and website, encouraging users to report abusive content.