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Heather Rabbatts: FA must do more to promote opportunities for women Heather Rabbatts: FA must do more to promote opportunities for women
(35 minutes later)
Board member Heather Rabbatts admits the Football Association could do more to promote opportunities for women in the game. Board member Heather Rabbatts says the Football Association could do more to promote opportunities for women in the game.
Rabbatts, who also chairs the FA’s inclusion advisory board, was responding to a question on whether there should be a Rooney Rule for women in football.Rabbatts, who also chairs the FA’s inclusion advisory board, was responding to a question on whether there should be a Rooney Rule for women in football.
The Football League last week formally agreed to implement steps to enhance the chances of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) coaches, although not to the extent of the United States’ NFL.The Football League last week formally agreed to implement steps to enhance the chances of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) coaches, although not to the extent of the United States’ NFL.
There are just six BAME managers in the Football League, which comprises 72 clubs, and the representation of women is even lower.There are just six BAME managers in the Football League, which comprises 72 clubs, and the representation of women is even lower.
“In terms of working with women’s coaches there is certainly more for us to do,” said Rabbatts, who was speaking at Wembley as energy provider SSE was announced as title sponsor of the Women’s FA Cup on a four-year, seven-figure deal.“In terms of working with women’s coaches there is certainly more for us to do,” said Rabbatts, who was speaking at Wembley as energy provider SSE was announced as title sponsor of the Women’s FA Cup on a four-year, seven-figure deal.
“There’s some work we’re just trying to think about on how best to support women coaches and talking with them about how they might develop their own professional careers going forward.“There’s some work we’re just trying to think about on how best to support women coaches and talking with them about how they might develop their own professional careers going forward.
“Clearly, the priority at the moment is to try to ensure that we can secure more black and ethnic minority managers and coaches, both in the FA and across the clubs.“Clearly, the priority at the moment is to try to ensure that we can secure more black and ethnic minority managers and coaches, both in the FA and across the clubs.
“But it’s a really important area and I think it’s something we probably need to do more in.”“But it’s a really important area and I think it’s something we probably need to do more in.”
Football has long been one of the worst offenders in offering equal opportunities and Rabbatts became the FA’s first female board member, after 150 years, when she was appointed in 2012.Football has long been one of the worst offenders in offering equal opportunities and Rabbatts became the FA’s first female board member, after 150 years, when she was appointed in 2012.
Rabbatts says other females have been appointed to senior positions at the national governing body, but she remains the only female on the FA board, which has 12 members.Rabbatts says other females have been appointed to senior positions at the national governing body, but she remains the only female on the FA board, which has 12 members.
Sports governing bodies face funding cuts if they fail to meet UK Sport and Sport England’s targets of one in four female board members by 2017.Sports governing bodies face funding cuts if they fail to meet UK Sport and Sport England’s targets of one in four female board members by 2017.
“It’s a process of evolution and not revolution,” Rabbatts said. “It’s a process of evolution and not revolution,” Rabbatts said. “There is the issue for all sports governing bodies to ensure that we improve diversity, whether we’re talking issues of race or gender or disability.
“There is the issue for all sports governing bodies to ensure that we improve diversity, whether we’re talking issues of race or gender or disability.
“We have within the FA a programme of developing future women’s leaders, not only to participate within the FA but also across other sporting bodies.“We have within the FA a programme of developing future women’s leaders, not only to participate within the FA but also across other sporting bodies.
“I am confident we will continue to make progress.”“I am confident we will continue to make progress.”
Asked if the target would be met, Rabbatts added: “We’ll try.”Asked if the target would be met, Rabbatts added: “We’ll try.”
Rabbatts welcomed SSE’s sponsorship of the Women’s FA Cup, the final of which will be held at Wembley for the first time this year.Rabbatts welcomed SSE’s sponsorship of the Women’s FA Cup, the final of which will be held at Wembley for the first time this year.
Chelsea and Notts County will meet for the trophy on 1 August, a day before Chelsea and Arsenal meet in the FA Community Shield, the traditional season curtain-raiser in the men’s game.Chelsea and Notts County will meet for the trophy on 1 August, a day before Chelsea and Arsenal meet in the FA Community Shield, the traditional season curtain-raiser in the men’s game.
The sponsorship deal includes a commitment to invest in the women’s game, with significant funding ring-fenced to create a country-wide programme of girls-only football around FA Women’s Cup events.The sponsorship deal includes a commitment to invest in the women’s game, with significant funding ring-fenced to create a country-wide programme of girls-only football around FA Women’s Cup events.