Partners
The AFN is proud to be working in partnership with The Football Association (FA) and the Football Foundation to create better pathways of accessibility and dialogue between key stakeholders and grassroots football.
The AFN also enjoys the support of Let's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign and the Premier League
Through this partnership work the AFN will be able to provide a strategic voice for grassroots football development, empower local grassroots projects, highlight good practice, develop new dynamic projects and initiatives.
History of AFN and FA Partnership
The partnership between The FA and the AFN began in 2004 following the Football for All conference in Derby. There was an obvious need for greater partnership work at all levels from FA football development to county level. Since then The FA has provided essential support during the conception of the AFN, and will remain a key partner in the delivery of its future aims and objectives. Both parties recognise the importance and value of a dynamic and sustainable partnership between all stakeholders for the improvement of football development.
Key Partnership Initiatives with The FA
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FA Football Development
The AFN is working with The FA to provide opportunities in participation and training for Asians and to bring interested groups and individuals together to improve communication, ensure co-ordination and provide support to increase the number of Asians in football.
The AFN has also made partnerships with County Football Associations with the aim to develop sustainable partnerships and pathways to football development opportunities at a local and regional level. In addition the AFN is also represented on The FA's Race Equality Advisory Group providing a valuable link to the national governing body. As well as sitting on the Greater London Football Partnership group to advocate more support for the Asian Football community across London.
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Football Foundation
As principal funders, the Football Foundation – the UK’s largest sports charity – works in close consultation with the AFN on issues relating to grassroots football development, specifically Asian and BME accessibility to the Football Foundation's various grant schemes and initiatives.
The Foundation also provides support by facilitating AFN ‘funding surgeries’ and workshops relating to Football Foundation funding schemes.
The AFN is forging a very fruitful relationship with the Football Foundation which will meet the challenges that are facing the development of Asian football.
The Football Foundation is dedicated to opening up access to sport for every section of society by investing in state-of-the-art facilities and community programmes. Our partnership with the AFN allows the Foundation to reach the Asian community and make them aware of the funding that we can offer as well as the criteria they need to meet in order to be eligible.
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation
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Premier League
The Premier League is very supportive of the Asian Football Network Website and we are hoping to work closely with them on their strategies for encouraging ethnic minority support, and with their community schemes.
The AFN will be extremely important in helping us to reach groups of people who might feel excluded from football at the top level. We're looking forward to working with the AFN team to create more pathways and encourage people to get involved in Premier League Clubs.
Cathy Long, The Premier League
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Kick It Out and Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE)
AFN promotes anti-racism campaigns including Kick it Out, Show Racism the Red Card, Football Unites Racism Divides (FURD) and Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE). These campaigns are crucial to the future of Asian participation at all levels of the game.
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Sporting Equals
Sporting Equals is a nationwide initiative working to promote racial equality in sport throughout England. It was established in 1998 as a partnership between Sport England and the Commission for Racial Equality. Sporting Equals aims to encourage more people from all ethnic backgrounds to take part in sport.