Football is a globally followed and revered sport. In recent years, concerns over diversity and discrimination in the beloved sport have made international headlines. This has put a spotlight on the lack of representation both on and off the football pitch. The disparity in football leadership representation is even more apparent when gender, race and ethnicity comes into play. This MOOC aims to understand, explore and ultimately address the exclusion of women and people of ethnic minority background (WEM) in football organizations. Resources and practical tools are provided for aspiring football leaders and governing body members. Ultimately, the course looks to the future of football leadership and asks what needs to be done to transform the football world from the inside out.
This course consists of 4 modules or ‘weeks’. In each module, a different theme will be addressed in short expert videos. Furthermore, each week will have supplementary reading material and a brief quiz or discussion topic to apply the knowledge gained from the videos and readings. Participants are invited to relate the gained knowledge to their own experiences, personal development or ambitions to create social change within the football world. Participants are expected to watch the videos before doing the small exercises.
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Welcome to the course! This module puts a spotlight on the exclusion of women and ethnic minority groups in football organizations. It explores how exclusion manifests itself and what structural processes inhibit diversity in football leadership.
What's included
3 videos5 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 20 minutes
Gender and ethnic exclusion in practice•11 minutes
Gender and ethnic minority exclusion in numbers part 1•6 minutes
Gender and ethnic minority exclusion in numbers part 2•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
Instructor's note•10 minutes
Outraged (UEFA Racism Documentary)•10 minutes
Glass ceiling report 2014•10 minutes
Governance Index Report 2020•10 minutes
Women in Leadership Positions in Sports•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Racial and gender diversity in European football leadership•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Tell us what you think•10 minutes
Structures and governance in football
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
The diverse talent that is seen on the football field is often not represented in the boardroom. In this module, we will break down football governing structures and discuss the process of moving up the leadership ladder in football organisations.
What's included
4 videos3 readings2 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 42 minutes
Changing from the inside: How can football officials assist WEM in their professional development? •22 minutes
The structural line-up in football governance (part 1): What do the governing structures in football look like?•6 minutes
The structural line-up in football governance (part 2): What do the governing structures in football look like?•5 minutes
Moving up the leadership ladder•9 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
Governance models across football associations and league•10 minutes
What role can men play in facilitating Football Governance?•10 minutes
Fare Network Discussion: Diverse Sports Boards Meet The Leaders: Ethnic Minority Women At The Top•10 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Tell us what you think (Football organisations ONLY)•10 minutes
Tell us what you think•10 minutes
Navigating race and gender based discrimination in football organizations
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
Making your way up the football leadership ladder as a person of colour can be challenging but as a woman of colour this can be burdensome because of the discriminatory hurdles within football organisations. Module 3 delves into these hurdles and discusses ways women of colour navigate discrimination in football organisations.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 14 minutes
Facing racism and sexism in professional football environments•14 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Reporting tool where race - and gender based discrimination can be reported•10 minutes
Of course black people can shoot' - microaggressions in sport (BBC Sport)•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Tell us what you think•10 minutes
Transforming football leadership
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
Thus far, the course has highlighted the competitive disadvantage that women of minority background have in employment for leadership positions in the football world. In this final module, we talk about measures that need to be taken to address structural inequities in football organisations.
What's included
4 videos4 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 43 minutes
Being the change you want to see•8 minutes
Facilitating structural change (part 1)•5 minutes
Facilitating structural change (part 2)•5 minutes
Dribbling past obstacles•25 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
English FA Diversity Code•10 minutes
Inclusion and Diversity in Workgroups•10 minutes
The operational implementation of the English Football League’s voluntary code of coach recruitment and its effectiveness in addressing the underrepresentation of minoritised coaches•10 minutes
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The fare Network is an umbrella organization that brings together individuals and organizations to tackle all forms of discrimination including racism, far-right nationalism, sexism, trans- and homophobia, and discrimination against disabled people. Its members are diverse including fan groups, NGOs and amateur clubs, and grassroots groups, among others, who contribute with their expertise and actions. Fare is an international organization with more than 150 members in nearly 40 European countries.
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What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.