Aston Villa Academy will be hosting an Emerging South Asian Lions event at Castle Vale Stadium on Saturday, July 2 as part of our ‘All In Part of the Pride’ initiative.
The day is part of a partnership with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to help boost south Asian player representation within our Academy and encourage participation from young hopefuls hoping to break into football.
The event will showcase the talents of Pre-Academy (Under-8s) and Foundation Phase (U9s-U11s) aged players from Birmingham and surrounding areas. Parents and guardians will also have the opportunity to hear from the PFA and our Academy Staff to learn more about elite player pathways and future activities.
In addition, selected players across the day will be invited back to our Academy training ground to learn more about what it takes to be an Aston Villa player, as well as given an opportunity within the Aston Villa Development Centres.
Aston Villa Talent ID Projects and Development Manager Scott Curry said: “Aston Villa Football Club is extremely proud to be aligning strategies with the PFA to help boost south Asian player representation within Academy football.
“Over the last six months we held some positive talks with Riz Rehman and his team on ways we can further support the excellent work that is currently going on with the PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme that Arjan Raikhy and our younger Academy players participate in.
“Birmingham is a highly diverse and multicultural city and we believe it is important our football club represents this. The planned Talent ID days will further support the excellent work the club has going on to identify local talented players from all different ages and backgrounds.
“The Talent ID days will give local players of South Asian heritage an exciting opportunity to experience Aston Villa, and we look forward to working with the PFA, local community groups and clubs to make this day a success.”
PFA Player Inclusion Executive Riz Rehman added: “We have created a nationwide network with all clubs and Academies over the last 18 months and there is overwhelming appetite from them to tap into under-represented communities to find talent.
“This event has been in the making since the start of the year, and I’ve been delighted with all the input from Academy, club and Foundation staff in ensuring we put on a memorable day for all players and families in attendance. This is the first step as part of our longer-term strategy to see meaningful change.”
Aston Villa Football Club, along with the PFA, is committed to bolstering links with South Asian communities and families in more than just a football capacity, and this event with follow-up initiatives will create a solid platform upon which to build.
