Over the last 30 years, the number of British players from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the Premier League has doubled. But off the pitch, the story is very different. In coaching, management, media, operations, PR and more, diversity is still not where it should be.
Raise Your Game is here to change that.
We work to remove the barriers that stop people getting started and open doors to real opportunities across the game. Through our events, long-term mentoring, and hands-on work experience opportunities, Raise Your Game gives you the tools and support to take your next step in a football career.
This Season’s In-Person Raise Your Game Events
Our RYG events bring together people working across football who can offer honest advice and real insight. Each event is welcoming, practical and designed to help you understand what a career in football can look like.
Media RYG – November 2025
Media RYG is for anyone who wants to get into football media. Throughout the day, you’ll hear from reporters, presenters, producers, club comms staff, PR teams and digital people who’ll share how they got started and what skills really matter. You’ll get an insight into the different areas of the industry, from broadcasting and presenting to behind-the-scenes communications and media relations. There’ll also be chances to get stuck into some simple media tasks and talk openly with people who already work in the game.
Women’s RYG – February 2025
Women’s RYG is a supportive and inspiring space for women who want to build a career in any part of football. who’ve built careers in coaching, media, refereeing, operations and more, and hear their honest advice about what it takes to succeed in the game. The day includes workshops focused on women’s empowerment, building resilience, and developing the skills to take your next step confidently. There will also be opportunities for networking, mentoring, and learning directly from those already working in football, giving you practical advice and encouragement to shape your own career path.
Backroom RYG – Spring 2026
Backroom RYG is all about the roles that keep football running behind the scenes. Whether it’s performance analysis, scouting, player care, business operations, marketing, PR, community work, or event delivery, this event covers the many waysyou can be part of the game off the pitch. You’ll hear from people working in these roles about how they got started, what their day-to-day looks like, and the key skills that help them succeed. This event will give you a clear picture of the different paths you can take and how to start building your career in the backroom side of football.
Coaching RYG – Summer 2026
Coaching RYG is for new and developing coaches who want to take their skills to the next level. You’ll learn from experienced coaches about planning sessions, supporting players, and progressing through the different coaching levels. The day includes a mix of theory and practical sessions, so you’ll not only hear about best practices but also get the chance to try them out yourself. Everything is designed to be straightforward, hands-on, and useful, giving you practical tools and advice to help you grow as a coach.
Long-term Mentoring
RYG also provides long-term mentoring from people who already work in the industry.
Work Experience Opportunities
You will also have access to real work experience opportunities. These include various opportunities such as attending industry events, attending matches as a reporter, presenting content, or helping to produce digital content. These experiences help you build skills, grow your portfolio and see what working in football is really like.
Make sure to keep an eye on KIO social media channels for the dates when each event will be open for applications.
