The FA has launched a new initiative to improve diversity in women’s football by offering placements to six aspiring coaches from marginalised communities.

Partnering with six FA Women’s National League clubs, the programme will offer six women from underrepresented groups invaluable coaching experience on the football pyramid.

The FA has been running a similar programme in men’s football for the past five years within the England men's setup, but this is the first of its kind in the women’s game. 

Placing a focus on diversifying the women’s football landscape, the placements are open exclusively to applicants from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds – communities that have historically been excluded from jobs in football in the past.

Women’s football in England is still an incredibly homogeneous space compared to the men’s game. With added barriers to entry for non-white coaches and those coming from low-income backgrounds, this programme is creating a necessary pathway for the next wave of touchline talent. Hope Powell was the first person of colour to hold a managerial position in the England setup back in 1998, when she became the first-ever full-time Lionesses' coach. The former player and current technical director at Birmingham City blazed a trail for women of colour in football – let's hope this new scheme allows more to do the same.

As the sport continues to gain momentum in England, here’s to more initiatives that aim to create a more inclusive game on and off the pitch. 

Applications are open on the FA’s website and close on November 17.