Aston Villa’s Commitment to Diversifying Women’s Football

Aston Villa is at the forefront of tackling the issue of diversity in women’s football, as evidenced by a recent training session for young girls featuring Fern Whelan, Ebony Salmon, and Maz Pacheco.

Despite women’s football facing criticism for its homogeneity, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is proactively assisting clubs like Aston Villa in promoting diversity. A recent examination of the sport highlighted the urgency to enhance diversity both on the field and in administrative roles.

Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal’s manager, acknowledged the need for diversity after a social media backlash over an all-white squad photo. Similarly, England’s manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her desire for the national team to better reflect societal diversity.

Sport Newes Center’s visit to an Aston Villa event, hosted by the PFA, revealed concerted efforts to advance diversity and equal opportunities within the Women’s Super League (WSL).

In 2021, black, Asian, and minority players constituted only about 10 to 15% of the WSL. Addressing this imbalance, Fern Whelan, the PFA’s inaugural women’s equality executive and former England international, collaborates with WSL clubs to organize training sessions for young girls in urban areas. These sessions, which also feature WSL stars like Khadija Shaw, Demi Stokes, Ebony Salmon, and Maz Pacheco, aim to inspire and offer role models from diverse backgrounds.

Whelan emphasizes the importance of representation and equal access to football for all young girls, regardless of their background. She envisions a sport where everyone feels included and sees a potential path for themselves.

Salmon and Pacheco’s participation in a training event at Villa’s academy in Birmingham, where about 60 young girls received coaching, is a testament to this vision. Salmon, reflecting on her own experiences, highlights the significance of having role models that young girls can relate to and aspire to become. Pacheco echoes this sentiment, stressing that football should be accessible to everyone, irrespective of their background.

Arsenal and Aston Villa are not alone in these efforts. The WSL as a whole is embracing diversity initiatives. Arsenal, for instance, collaborates with the PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme, offering workshops for young South Asian players. Villa plans to host similar initiatives, focusing on grassroots diversity.

Carla Ward, Villa’s manager, asserts the club’s commitment to enhancing diversity, noting that the team already reflects a diverse composition. Pacheco, who also runs an independent football academy, sees positive trends in women’s football, with increased investment and interest leading to greater diversity.

Whelan is optimistic that by focusing on academy football and targeting urban areas, the sport can achieve greater diversity across all levels. She recalls a time when diversity was more prominent in women’s football, with influential figures like Rachel Yankey, Mary Phillip, and manager Hope Powell. Whelan believes that professionalization has somewhat diluted this diversity, but initiatives like Aston Villa’s can help reverse this trend.

Whelan underscores the PFA’s role in guiding clubs to enhance diversity and hopes that successful events at clubs like City, Arsenal, and Villa will inspire others. She acknowledges that the issue extends beyond race and ethnicity, encompassing socio-economic factors as well.

Salmon highlights the importance of continuous dialogue and criticism to ensure that the focus on diversity remains a priority. She advocates for persistent questioning and discussion to foster further growth in the sport’s diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Women’s Football Diversity

More about Women’s Football Diversity

• Aston Villa Women’s Team
• Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA)
• Women’s Super League (WSL)
• Diversity Initiatives in Football
• Fern Whelan Biography
• Ebony Salmon Profile
• Maz Pacheco Career Highlights