The roll-out of more courses marks the first anniversary of the partnership, which sees PGMOL match officials and staff granted access to EDI-themed courses developed by the anti-discrimination and inclusion charity.
Over 700 officials and staff have already completed a variety of Kick It Out’s online courses over the first year of the partnership which covered topics including Allyship, antisemitism, LGBTQ+ Awareness, and Intro to Islamophobia.
The first course will focus on sexism and misogyny, educating participants on the historical barriers women have faced across the football industry, what misogynistic behaviours look like in modern-day football, and the impact these can have on representation.
The delivery of the course to match officials comes as Kick It Out launch a new campaign targeting sexism and misogyny in football, which aims to raise awareness of sexism and misogyny, challenge sexist behaviours, encourage women to report sexism and call on football to take reports more seriously.
The interactive online courses are designed to provide an engaging, thought-provoking, and insightful learning experience to PGMOL staff and referees and assistant referees who officiate in the Premier League, EFL, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and National League.
Access will also continue to be provided to members of CORE X, the programme created by PGMOL and the FA to strengthen the pathway between the grassroots and elite game for officials from under-represented communities.
Premier League referee, Darren England, said:
“Taking part in the online learning courses has been an incredibly valuable experience. The sessions have deepened my understanding of important topics.
“They’ve not only equipped me with the knowledge and insights to play my part in making football a more inclusive environment but have also inspired me to be a better ally both on and off the pitch.
I’m proud to be part of an organisation committed to driving positive change in the game we all love.”
Football clubs and organisations can also access educational resources about tackling sexism and misogyny at The Academy.
The platform hosts free-of-charge EDI learning resources designed to connect coaches, clubs, players and fans with training materials and expertise. Visit The Academy here: https://theacademy.kickitout.org/
