The PFA Unionlearn 'Achievement Through Sport' programme has recently delivered bespoke Community based Equalities training for club staff at Burton Albion FC.

Following on from recent Muslim Awareness workshops delivered to Club Community Trusts and Foundations during the 2014/15 season, the PFA/ULF ‘Achievement Through Sport’ programme has developed the ‘Faith, Culture and Community Engagement’ CPD workshop.

This workshop was held in the clubs union learning centre and aimed at up-skilling club employees and volunteers on how to better engage and retain participants from disadvantaged and minority groups with a key focus on the Asian and Muslim community.

The workshop is a first step that aims to challenge assumptions, presuppositions and stereotyping to raise awareness and mutual understanding about how clubs can address barriers that are effectively excluding minority groups from representation in the game, both on and off the field.

PFA  Project Worker, Riz  Rehman, delivered the bespoke session to community staff at Burton Albion FC (BAFC) as part of the club staffs Continual Professional Development (CPD).  Over 20 full time staff attended the session. These work on the different BAFC initiatives around coaching, education, disability and social inclusion attended.

Matt Hancock, Community Trust Manager said:

The session was well received by all our staff in attendance and there was very good dialogue and conversation throughout.  I thought Riz pitched the session perfectly for our group and we are all keen to move things forward and deliver some targeted work around engaging with the Muslim community."

The PFA have already been proactive in arranging a time for the staff to visit the local Mosque to have a tour and network with community members.”

Riz Rehman said:

Although the session was only meant to last one hour, the interaction and discussion with the group was very encouraging and lasted well over two hours.  Some of the female staff members had some very good questions about whether they would be allowed into a Mosque and what barriers Muslim girls face to participation.  Some of  them came up  to me after to comment on how much they enjoyed the session and looked forward to putting on some football and education activities for the wider community.”

The PFA is already following up the session and will be meeting community leaders and the local Imam to explore more ways to work together.