How diversity in sports is yielding success in stadiums across Europe thanks to managers determine to ensure inclusivity.
By Professor Chris Imafidon – For the first time since 1966, England has achieved historic success and entered the Euro finals. The record books have to be re-written by this all conquering team of the three lions. Their diversity of talent and real inclusivity speaks volumes to any careful strategists.
What has changed in the past 55 years remains a big question to the casual observer? And can England win the Euros for the first time in history? So far England has won on all fronts. This team defeated racism, and discrimination at all levels, from all angles including the traditional false beliefs of narrow English nationalism.
Under the able management of Gareth Southgate, OBE a former defender and midfielder himself, England has seen unprecedented success making it to the UEFA European Football Championship final this Sunday at Wembley. Southgate has made a name for himself as a football manager for over a decade, with his style described as individual focused on talents, irrespective of ethnic origin or social class. Southgate respects all talents including black inner-city individuals.
#BLACKLIVESMATTER IN SPORTS
When he took a knee to demonstrate his support for the oppressed blacks, some vocal but ignorant middle class leaders ridiculed him and called him names but Southgate focused on equity instead of class discrimination or racial prejudiced comments. The 1970-born Briton is very but doing what previous soccer bosses were afraid to do – emphasising on communication and focusing on empowering players to create a united team, the team has presented an almost clean sweep with only one goal conceded throughout the entire 2021 tournament.
With thirty-two percent of players in England’s Euros 2021 squad coming from the African or Caribbean background, could the secret of Southgate’s success be diversity? You guessed right! The UK’s Black And Ethnic Minority – BAME communities have thrown their weight behind sports and sees football as a visible expression of their genius. It is instructive that Scottish, welsh and Irish BAME individual and institutions are now just as passionate about EURO2020 as any other groups.
Besides France, Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands, England has one of the most ethnically diverse teams in this year’s competition. Since defender Viv Anderson’s 1978 English football debut, there has been a substantial increase in the number of black and BAME English players, bringing great diversity and improved engagement to the sport. Of the eight top contributor to the squad’s success, six are non-British descent; Raheem Sterling from Jamaica, Bukayo Saka from Nigeria, Marcus Rashford from St Kitts and Nevis, Jadon Sancho from Trinidad and Tobago and Jack Grealish from the Republic of Ireland.
In all these countries the ethnic composition of the national team and its performance in major competitions have, at times, been a lightning rod for pro- and anti-migrant politics, civil and ethnic versions of the nation.
France and Portugal capped their first black players in the 1930s, the Netherlands in the 1960s. Viv Anderson’s England debuted their real black playing stars in 1978. This was the beginning of a great wave of Black English players. At Euro 2020, between a third and half the squads of the old colonial powers will be players of colour.
There are ten of direct BAME heritage. Of the eight forwards in the squad, six are non-British descent; Raheem Sterling from Jamaica, Bukayo Saka from Nigeria, Marcus Rashford from St Kitts and Nevis, Jadon Sancho from Trinidad and Tobago and Jack Grealish from the Republic of Ireland.
RACE AND REASONING
Key player and top scorer Raheem Sterling continues to play an essential role in England’s Euro success. Sterling secured three goals in England’s first four Euro 2021 games, displaying impeccable performances assisting and defending instrumental in maintaining England’s almost clean sweep of one goal conceded throughout the tournament.
Beyond football, the England Euro 2021 squad highlights and celebrates the importance of diversity in achieving success on an international scale. It appears as though the Euro 2021 final will be more than football history for England, regardless of the final score. The secret of Southgate’s Euro 2021 success is the unparalleled talent displayed amongst his diverse and ironically international team.
Southgate has taught the nation that equity pays, diversity succeeds and inclusion is a blessing. We hope all sectors of national life acknowledge this simple fact and adopt it now.
Professor Chris Imafidon, is chair, ExcellenceinEducation.org.uk, an alliance of inner-city educational charities and institutions that mentors youths, women and professionals in the commonwealth. He is a multi-Guinness World record holder; internationally renowned adviser to monarchs, governments, presidents and corporate leaders; Mentor to multi-millionaire tech entrepreneurs & many world record holders. His research and innovation have been recognised internationally, winning multiple awards. Professor Imafidon is a regular contributor to #AfricanVoice; authored op-ed editorial for the Britain’s Sunday Times; Mentor to New York Times Bestellers and a Sunday Times Op-ed author. [Twitter @ChrisImafidon; Instagram @CoImafidon; Facebook/Linkedln/ClubHouse –Professor Chris Imafidon]
