USW students aim to inspire Cardiff Muslim Primary School pupils to consider the possibilities of football

by Adam Evans & Editor

UNIVERSITY of South Wales Football Coaching and Performance students are helping to highlight the lack of  ethnic minority representation in ‘the beautiful game’.

Children from Cardiff Muslim Primary School have been invited to USW Sport Park to take part in a football fun day, which organisers hope will encourage them to explore the possibilities football offers.

Almost 80 pupils have booked on to the event. Last year BBC Sport’s Jason Mohammad joined course representatives at the school to talk about the importance of role models.

Football and Coaching Performance student Kei Yoshida said: “Our aim is to increase participation in football for the BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) community.

“Currently, BAME football players are highly under-represented in the elite level.

“The Football Association of Wales and Football Association are tackling this problem right now, so we came up with this event and it would be great if we could give children a role model to inspire them.”

The event will take place tomorrow, Thursday 13^th February, and will consist of a range of classroom-based activities to educate the children about how football can benefit their lives positively, alongside some football skill activities.

It will take place at the USW Sport Park with the aim being to encourage participation in football for the Black, Asian and minority ethnic community (BAME).

The low number of footballers and managers from the BAME is something various bodies associated with football are trying to tackle.

Last year the Premier League launched a black, Asian and minority ethnic advisory group to “ensure the views of BAME players and coaches are heard”.

One group in particular who are under represented is the British Asian community, with only four players of South Asian descent having played in the Premier League – Neil Taylor, Michael Chopra, Hamza Choudhury and Zesh Rahman.

There has only been the small number of 12 players with Southern Asian heritage who have played in the English Football League and Premier League combined.

In addition to that, there is a severe lack of BAME managers within the English professional game.

The event will begin at 10am and conclude at 12:30pm.