Stormzy and Adidas launch #Merky FC initiative to improve diversity in the football industry

03 November 2022, 10:03 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Stormzy)

Stormzy has teamed up with Adidas to launch #Merky FC, a new initiative that aims to address the lack of diversity off the pitch in the football industry through professional placements.

#Merky FC is a new programme from Stormzy and Adidas that aims to enhance and protect diverse representation in the football industry, and will provide multi-year, paid professional placements in the UK for young people of Black heritage aged between 18-24.

The careers programme is set to launch in January 2023, and has support of 10 leading brands including Manchester United, Fulham FC, Sky, LADbible, TEAM, Versus and more.

Stormzy said, "Just 6.7% of senior roles in football are taken by someone who identifies as Black or mixed Black heritage. We barely see any black Team Managers, Coaches, Sports Presenters, Assistants, Ops Managers, Sales Managers, Accountants, Marketing Managers or Physiotherapists - the list goes on, nor are many of us even aware of the vast roles available within the football industry. Through the #Merky FC initiative we hope to inspire real change within this field as part of my wider commitment to support racial equality in the UK."

"With the support of adidas and the additional 10 partners, we will be in a position to aid the people who may have experienced disadvantages during their football career pathway," he added. "We strongly encourage other companies to join us in our mission.”

Adidas said, "We are passionate about providing inclusive opportunities to young talent in the UK. We are proud to be working in partnership with Stormzy to introduce #Merky FC, an initiative that directly tackles some of the biggest barriers facing UK youth in football today, by creating a legacy of career opportunities off the pitch alongside the other partners. Along with the support of our network of adidas partners, we are committed to fighting for equal representation in football, and this launch is only the beginning for #Merky FC. Watch this space."