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 promote inclusivity in football. The £1m investment, comprising both financial and value-in-kind support, aims to combat discrimination and create opportunities for underrepresented groups within the sport. Over the past year, Sky Sports has supported various Kick It Out initiatives, including the launch of the 'Football United' strategy, a partnership with Guinness 0.0, and the online education platform The Academy. Additionally, Sky Sports has provided a platform for young people from underrepresented communities to take their first steps in football through the Raise Your Game programme. The partnership has also led to the creation of a documentary about Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, which was shown on Sky Sports and at England's game against Latvia. The film aimed to educate younger audiences about Lord Ouseley's impact on the organisation, which he founded over 30 years ago. Furthermore, Sky's £30m commitment to tackling structural inequality has supported several initiatives, including a joint scholarship programme with the University of Liverpool Management School, providing students from underrepresented backgrounds with the opportunity to earn an MBA in Football Industries. Hollie Varney, COO of Kick It Out, expressed gratitude for Sky's ongoing support, stating that the partnership has provided unique education and development opportunities for underrepresented communities in football. David Carrigan, Group Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at Sky, emphasized the company's long-term commitment to driving forward a more inclusive and representative game. Sky Sports is dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment for comment and debate on its social media platforms, free from abuse, hate, and profanity.