Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion organisation, is having its fifth national Raise Your Game conference and mentoring event, in association with Investec, to provide a unique insight into working in football, with advice and inspiration provided by industry-leading individuals from across the game.
To be held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, in north London, Heather Rabbatts CBE, Lord Sebastian Coe, Ipswich Town assistant manager Terry Connor, England legend Rachel Yankey, Daily Telegraph journalist Henry Winter and Sangi Patel, assistant physio at Queens Park Rangers, are just some of those that have given their backing to the Raise Your Game series since its introduction to Kick It Out’s Mentoring and Leadership Programme, keynote speakers and mentors will discuss the themes of the workshops and panel discussions which will be announced in due course.
Last year’s conference saw over 300 attendees descend on Wembley Stadium, which included one:one mentoring sessions, workshops, panel discussions and keynote speeches.
The successful format from previous years is to be continued, with opportunities for attendees to gain a better understanding of how to access an appropriate career within football; including management and coaching, grassroots and community, administration, player services, media and communications, refereeing and physiotherapy.
“The Raise Your Game conference has gained a deserved reputation over the last five years for providing aspiring individuals, looking to break into the football industry, with opportunities to gain permanent employment, placements and work experience,” said Troy Townsend, Kick It Out’s Education and Development Manager, who leads the Mentoring and Leadership Programme.
“We’ve already seen mentees secure positions with the Premier League, The Football Association, ITV, various BBC Radio stations, MailOnline, Birmingham County FA, West Riding County FA, Sports Interactive, West Bromwich Albion FC, Middlesbrough FC and Coventry City FC in a variety of roles, and there are going to be more placements becoming available, so it’s an exciting time to be involved.”
The Kick It Out 'Raise Your Game' conference will take place on Tuesday April 28.
Last year, 1216 one:one mentoring sessions took place at the Raise Your Game conference with 24% of mentees coming from black and ethnic minority backgrounds. Feedback from the event showed that 92% of mentees gained what they expected or more, and social media interaction was constantly flowing throughout the day with the dedicated hashtag #RYG mentioned over 2,000 times.
To book your FREE place, and join the conversation on social media by using #RYG.
