This year the national programme created to enhance and protect diverse representation in football will broaden its scope and impact by tripling the number of roles available. To inspire the entire football industry and community to make the assist, they have published a new report that uncovers the barriers faced by young Black people and the #Merky FC approach to changing the game.

Last year the initiative provided 15 people with roles within the industry. This year sees #Merky FC increase the number of off pitch roles from 15 to 50, with both adidas and Stormzy bringing together a collective of allies - 25 leading brands, from Manchester United and Arsenal, to Sky Sports, LADbible and EA to form part of the careers programme kick-starting in January 2024. Each placement will provide work opportunities spanning operations and community to creative and marketing, in a bid to change the game for Black and Black mixed heritage youth.

Fuelled by data that 56%1 of young Black and mixed-Black heritage people aspire to work in the industry, yet only 6.7% 2of senior roles in the football industry are taken by someone from this community, adidas and Stormzy recognised the need to identify the barriers to entry. With the ambition to encourage both the industry and fans alike to make the assist, the report models the potential impact of allyship and how initiatives like #Merky FC can help to increase representation in the football industry.

adidas and Stormzy understand that allyship alone cannot tackle the disparities within the industry, however by using the #Merky FC approach - referring candidates, mentorship programmes and establishing role models, believe this can be replicated across the industry to help boost representation.

“We launched #Merky FC last year to help level the playing field off-the pitch by providing career opportunities for young Black people. I am so pleased that we’re back this year with the same focus but with an increased recognition that there is still a lot of work to be done. This requires a collective effort from the whole football community and it’s the reason we published this report – we want to show how everyone can do their bit," said Stormzy. 

The collaboration between adidas and Stormzy remains steadfast in its ambition to help enhance ethnic diversity in the football industry. As part of adidas’ global ambition to help make sport equal, the brand is committed to creating a lasting-legacy of career opportunities off the pitch for young people of Black and mixed Black heritage.