The Football Black List has opened its nomination process where a new award celebrating the achievements of Black LGBT+ people in the industry will feature. The widely respected initiative will also recognise the incredible contribution of Black disabled people to the game.
While more than a third of professional players in men’s football are black, there is a worrying lack of representation in all areas away from the pitch. The Football Black List helps to shine a light on Black leaders and pioneers in the sport and as a result makes role models more visible to the next generation.
In a new development for the initiative, the Football Black List will enhance its focus on intersectionality in the Black community by adding an LGBT+ award and will also recognise how Black disabled people are playing a key role in the game. These new additions will be ongoing and driven by experts, with knowledge and experience, and all categories of the list will continue to be open to everyone for nomination.
The founders of the Football Black List are encouraging the public to put forward names of those they feel should be considered for celebration and recognition across all areas of the game.
Leon Mann, co-founder of the Football Black List, said: “The Black Lives Matter protests have focused minds in the industry. We need to see much more diversity in so many areas of football. This initiative shines a light on Black people leading the way and helps to encourage and inspire.
“We have introduced a new award to highlight and celebrate the contributions to the game from Black LGBT+ people. The Football Black List will also recognise the incredible contribution Black disabled people are making in the sport. We would like to thank the experts who have guided us in these areas and look forward to enhancing our initiative.
“The impact of COVID-19 has meant it’s been an incredibly tough year for everyone in society, and also football. We considered postponing the Football Black List this year as a result, but decided it would be wrong not to highlight Black excellence at a time we have needed it more than ever.”
Fellow co-founder, Rodney Hinds, added: “It has been a challenging year but the Football Black List can still provide some inspiration. The new award does just that as we refuse to stand still. We are indebted to those that have helped us introduce the new award as we are nothing without those in the community that have their fingers on the pulse. Sport in general and football in particular, remains a powerful influence.”
Household names and highly respected people from the industry including – Raheem Sterling, Dame Heather Rabbatts, Sadio Mane, Lord Herman Ouseley, Eniola Aluko, Rio Ferdinand, Rachel Yankey OBE and Yaya Toure – have all featured on this list.
The initiative has been backed by the Premier League, The FA, Professional Footballers Association, League Managers Association, English Football League, BCOMS, FARE and Kick It Out.
HOW TO NOMINATE
To nominate, click the link below and fill out the form.
Anyone can be nominated for the Football Black List. They just need to work or be active in football. You can even nominate yourself!
The categories for nominations are: Administration, Community and Grassroots, Cyrille Regis’ Players (for off the field work), Media, Practitioners, Coaching and Management, Commercial, LGBT+ Award and Ugo Ehiogu’s Ones To Watch (under 30 and excelling).
Closing date: 23RD OCTOBER 2020
