PFA launch 5-year plan to increase number of Asian players in football

Aston Villa defender Neil Taylor and Stoke City's Danny Batth are two of several players to have offered their support for the PFA's five-year plan designed to increase the Asian representation in football in the United Kingdom.

Despite Asian and Asian British people making up 7.5% of the population in the UK, just eight players made first-team appearances across the Premier League and Football League in 2019/20. This season, there are 15 players of such nationalities under professional contracts in the UK, which is the highest it has ever been.

To try and increase the number of Asian players in the game, the PFA took to their official website to introduce their five-year plan, which hopes to educate club staff around cultural consideration and help Asian youngsters get involved in football.

As part of the plan, the PFA have introduced the Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme, which will see senior players like Taylor and Batth offer their experience and wisdom to younger players trying to make it in the game.

“It’s what’s needed from the bottom going up," said Taylor, who speaks proudly of his Indian heritage. "The mentoring is the bare minimum we can do for the upcoming players as we’ve had a career in the game.

"Less than 1% make it right to the top and it’s important we instil the right mentality to the players from a young age. I’ve been talking to the scholars, academy players and their parents on this programme about the player pathways and some of the potential pitfalls they may face along the way.

"If we are to make a mark, and send the right messages to those who want to take up football as a career, this is a step in the right direction and it hasn’t been done before."

Those thoughts were echoed by Batth, who hopes to use his 12 years of experience to help inspire the next generation.

“Growing up I didn’t have the opportunity to tap into any mentoring from experienced players," he said. "My support network was simply my family and friends, so now I am delighted to be able to support academy players and their parents from similar backgrounds on their journey into the game.

"Working alongside the PFA I am able to share some experiences, set-backs and things I have learnt which I hope will help to progress the careers of these young players."

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