FA And Stonewall In History-making Partnership
The Football Association (FA) has announced a landmark tie-up with LGBT charity Stonewall that will see Stonewall FC – Britain’s most successful LGBT club – become the first non-league side to play an official regular season match at Wembley Stadium.
The historic fixture with Wilberforce Wanderers AFC on 30th November will celebrate the new strategic partnership as the FA takes on the status of an official Stonewall Diversity Champion.
The Middlesex County Football League Division One encounter will also be focal point of Stonewall’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign running from 17th November to 7th December in 2018.
Stonewall’s partnership with the The FA will see it support an ongoing FA commitment to embed LGBT inclusion across key areas of the organisation, including participation, governance, workforce management and communications.
Together, The FA and Stonewall plan to develop an ‘Allies’ programme, supporting non-LGBT employees in creating an inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people at all levels of the organisation.
Former professional player Paul Elliott, chair of The FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board (IAB), commented: “This new relationship presents an opportunity for football to help change hearts and minds beyond the stadia, as well as ensuring that everyone who makes football happen feels included. The principle behind this partnership embraces the philosophy that the game is for anyone, anytime, anywhere.”
Stonewall director of sport, Kirsty Clarke, added: “We need everyone involved in the national game at every level of football, from the community to the elite, to feel included and welcome.
“To have Stonewall FC invited to play at Wembley is a symbolic demonstration by The FA and it sends a powerful message that LGBT people are a welcome part of the football family. We now want to see everyone who plays a part in football showing their support and helping celebrate this momentous occasion.”
The partnership follows the release in January of The FA’s ‘In Pursuit of Progress‘ plan, a three-year equality, diversity and inclusion strategy to ensure that the diversity of those leading and governing football better reflects the modern game.
