It is a partnership which sees the Premier League, Capital City College and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, all unite to create job opportunities and raise stewarding standards across the industry.
Football’s forgotten heroes?
Everyone who watches live football will undoubtedly – and unsurprisingly – focus on the people at the heart of the action.
Players, managers, and even other fans all tend to receive the most attention. They are the show people come to see.
But behind every great show, is a team behind the scenes bringing it together, helping when needed, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Stewards are an ever-present part of the live football experience; highly visible yet easily ignored.
And, as London’s own football industry knows all too well, a lack of stewards can spell trouble for sustaining high-quality and safe live match experiences for fans.
Securing development and safety
The partnership between the Premier League and the Mayor of London will see AUD 2.3 million (£1.2 million) invested into the game.
And as the Premier League Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer, Clare Summer outlined, the Academy is essential not only to provide future employment, but to meet current demands.
“There are more than 15 million visits to Premier League stadiums each season, and we work alongside partners and the police to deliver safe and inclusive matchdays across the country,” Summer said.
“Through this partnership, we are providing new employment and training opportunities for thousands of people, contributing to the safe and welcoming environment provided at 380 matches each season.”
Thus, the partnership functions both as a way to engage people with the football industry, while also providing core employment skills and experience.
Jobs beyond the pitch
London, much like the rest of the world, is not lacking in fans of the beautiful game.
So considering there is such demand for stewards in the city’s football industry, the Academy marks a logical step to giving people another way of connecting with football.
And the impact goes far beyond sentimental value.
For example, the Premier League strives to improve training and employment opportunities across the UK, supporting up to 104,500 full-time equivalent jobs in the 2023/24 season.
So while the Premier League may require the efforts and skills of thousands of people, it also continues to invest back into the community.
Education, opportunity and trust. All of these are essential aspects to improving the lives of young people looking for a way into football, as well as looking to improve their own lives with purpose and fulfilment.
