Through the partnership, Raise Your Game delegates will be able to stay connected with each other, engage with active football industry professionals and access valuable resources via the SZN One platform. The platform also hosts courses from The Academy, Kick It Out’s online learning platform, supporting continued learning beyond the Raise Your Game event.
Kick It Out’s Raise Your Game programme supports underrepresented talent in the football workforce, offering practical guidance, mentorship and insight into career pathways across the game. Almost 2,500 participants have engaged with Raise Your Game since 2014, with a record attendance set at this season’s Media Raise Your Game.
This new collaboration with SZN One, a career acceleration community platform for football’s future, co-founded by Ben Mee (professional footballer) and Matt Warner, provides delegates with ongoing support as they take their next steps into football and football-facing industries.
Participants will be able to build professional networks, access exclusive industry content and resources, and continue developing skills beyond their initial Raise Your Game experience.
As part of the partnership, a dedicated landing page will launch where Raise Your Game attendees can register, explore tailored opportunities and keep progressing their ambitions within football’s wider ecosystem. The initiative reflects both Kick It Out’s and SZN One’s shared ambition to remove barriers and make football careers more accessible to people from all backgrounds.
Samuel Okafor, Kick It Out Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Raise Your Game has already opened doors for so many emerging football professionals. By partnering with SZN One, we’re creating a continuing journey for participants, helping them transition from event attendees into connected, confident candidates ready for roles in all corners of the game.”
Matt Warner, SZN One co-founder, added:
“We know the challenges that many young people face when trying to navigate their way through their first steps in football. SZN ONE gives a platform to help accelerate connections and provide a space for everyone to showcase skills, tell their stories to their peers and thrive in the future of our sport. We’re incredibly excited to partner with Kick It Out to help Raise Your Game members do just that.”
Kick It Out continues to champion inclusive progression pathways in football. from initiatives like Raise Your Game to partnerships that support talent development and industry access.
For more information and to start progressing your career with SZN One, visit the Raise Your Game–SZN One landing page: sznone.