Adidas and Stormzy have announced the launch of their collaborative venture, #Merky FC - a programme committed to enhancing and protecting diverse representation in the football industry.

The collaboration is a new movement aiming to bring change across the industry, addressing the lack of diversity off the pitch in football and providing access to a host of multi-year, paid professional placements across the industry.

The joint venture aims to combine adidas’s football leadership with Stormzy’s experience creating equality in education and the workplace for young black people.

Both adidas and Stormzy have brought together 10 leading brands, from Manchester United and Fulham FC, to Sky Sports and LADbible, to form part of the careers programme commencing January 2023. Each company will provide work placements from operations and community to creative and marketing in a bid to change the game.

#Merky FC launches as research commissioned by adidas with FARE Network reveals just 6.7 per cent of senior roles in football are taken by black people, or people with mixed black heritage.

Although the sport may appear diverse, with 39 per cent of Premier League players identifying as Black or mixed Black heritage, behind the scenes, it's a different story.

Working as a professional footballer is something approximately 64 per cent of Black British young people dream of, however, only 0.012 per cent of these people will make it as a Premier League professional.

Despite being one of the most common career wishes for young people, data has revealed that only 26 per cent of young Black British men aspire to have a career in football off the pitch.

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Turning to black women - 52 per cent say they would want a role in football, yet 40 per cent don’t think they’d be successful in the field based on gender.

A challenge that affects 33 per cent of young Black people trying to break into the industry is their ethnic background, as well as awareness and access to information on available roles off the pitch affecting 27 per cent.

Within this group, physio, TV presenter and nutritionist are the most well-known roles within the wider football industry. However, just 12-14 per cent of respondents think they would be considered for each of these positions.

55 per cent of Black British youth have faced discrimination while applying for white collar roles in the past, with 49 per cent of the 70 per cent who have tried to get a work placement in an industry they are passionate about, facing difficulties due to their ethnic background.

Speaking about the venture he's taking with adidas, Stormzy said: “Just 6.7 per cent of senior roles in football are taken by someone who identifies as Black or mixed Black heritage. We barely see any black Team Managers, Coaches, Sports Presenters, Assistants, Ops Managers, Sales Managers, Accountants, Marketing Managers or Physiotherapists - the list goes on, nor are many of us even aware of the vast roles available within the football industry.

"Through the #Merky FC initiative we hope to inspire real change within this field as part of my wider commitment to support racial equality in the UK," he continued

"With the support of adidas and the additional 10 partners, we will be in a position to aid the people who may have experienced disadvantages during their football career pathway. We strongly encourage other companies to join us in our mission.”

adidas additionally spoke of their work with Stormzy, saying: “We are passionate about providing inclusive opportunities to young talent in the UK. We are proud to be working in partnership with Stormzy to introduce #Merky FC, an initiative that directly tackles some of the biggest barriers facing UK youth in football today, by creating a legacy of career opportunities off the pitch alongside the other partners. Along with the support of our network of adidas partners, we are committed to fighting for equal representation in football, and this launch is only the beginning for #Merky FC. Watch this space.” 

Candidates can visit merkyfc.com to find out more and register their interest in the placements available.

A panel discussion on #Merky FC can be watched below.