The Inclusive leadership in Football Award was launched in 2015 as the Equality and Diversity Awareness in Football Award. It was revised and re-named The Inclusive Leadership in Football Award (TILIFA) in 2020. By the end of 2020 some 300 people had successfully completed this learning programme and received the award.

What does it involve?

TILIFA is an online reflective learning programme. It takes six weeks to complete, with the expectation that students will need to devote about 3 hours per week, mostly at times that suit them.

Students must successfully complete 14 learning activities and three quizzes as they work through the six study modules. Learning is demonstrated through completion of an on-line journal. Each student is allocated a tutor who will provide guidance and critical feedback.

The course concludes with tasks that focus on the application of your learning in the workplace and in preparing for next career steps.

What is the learning content?

There are six study modules through which students investigate and consider:

• the nature of equality
• the language of inclusion and its power
• football and the law, in which a leading barrister offers insights and advice
• the wide-ranging and diverse impacts of discriminatory behaviour
• ways in which effective, inclusive leaders can help team members to avoid casual, unthinking discrimination
• personal next steps, based on what has been learnt

Most of the issues are tackled within the context of actual events in the world of English football, with students being encouraged to read, research, consider and comment upon key factors, prompted by course content.

Who is TILIFA aimed at?

This learning programme is aimed at people who aspire to be leaders and influencers in the world of football. Recent recipients of the award include ex-players, coaches, staff members at professional clubs, football’s governing and organising bodies, community trusts, county associations and supporters’ groups.

What qualities and skills do I need?

There are no formal entry qualifications. Students are expected to be ready to undertake activities that involve reading, simple research, and should be confident in producing written responses to their learning. Most importantly, students must be prepared to challenge their current thinking about issues of equality, diversity and inclusion.

What do recent recipients of the award say about it?

“The course has emphasised for me that leaders of organisations have a duty to keep up with the evolving discourse and be aware of policies and terminology to lead by example.

I will be debriefing my immediate team about the course and my manager is already keen to partake in it and as I sit on our Anti-discrimination comms and BLM working groups, I will also feedback to them on the course as I feel it would be highly valuable for my organisation to have as many employees at all levels complete this course, which I have found highly rewarding.”  - A manager at one of English football’s governing and organising bodies, Dec. 2020

“The Inclusive Leadership in Football course has been engaging and thought provoking throughout and one of the most valuable personal development opportunities I have experienced. The online modules of the course have been easy to follow, delivered in a logical order and with plenty of opportunity and encouragement to interact with tutors and other students remotely.

The course has encouraged me to reflect personally on how I can support colleagues and drive positive change in my organisation in the pursuit of a more inclusive grassroots football environment.” – A county FA development officer, Dec 2020

“With guidance through every activity and extensive feedback in a conversational-style approach to ensure my answers were thorough and well thought out, I think I have truly gained so much from this course and further understand the issues that face many industries and more importantly, what we can do to change this.” – A senior administrator, EFL Championship club, Dec 2020

“The content was powerful, thought-provoking and challenging, with real examples given to analyse and plan for to support proactivity in the future. The topics enhanced my understanding of law and legislation in relation to the protected characteristics and enhanced my knowledge of implementing these in a practical way to support creating an inclusive organisation.

Some of the most insightful and reflective pieces for me included those on positive action and the power of language, including the controversial topic of banter. The discussions and learning taken from this has shaped the way I approach situations and plan for the future both personally and professionally.”  - Lead co-ordinator for ED&I in the community, Premier League club, Dec 2020

How can I find out more?

To find out more about TILIFA, fill in the form on the Contact Us page. Head your enquiry with the words I’d like to know more about TILIFA, and don’t forget to include your contact details.