Women in Football (WIF) is delighted to announce the formation of a new advisory group on equity,  equality, diversity, and inclusion (EEDI), reinforcing its long-term commitment to reflecting the  diversity of the game, and shaping and supporting WIF’s internal and external strategies.

The online racial abuse experienced by Jess Carter during UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 mirrored the  headline finding from WIF’s 2024 annual survey highlighting that 89% of women had experienced  discrimination in the workplace. According to the survey data, the prevalence of gender-based  discrimination, and the shortcomings of the reporting process are worse for women who belong to  an ethnic group underrepresented in the industry.

The new WIF Advisory Group includes ten members from across the football industry who will  contribute their lived experience and professional expertise. The group will be supported by WIF  director Monique Choudhuri and attended by WIF CEO Yvonne Harrison, reflecting the board’s  priority focus on this area.

Zarah Earnshaw, who works alongside the WIF board under WIF’s Vikki Orvice Memorial Director  Development Scheme and is Partnerships and Engagement Manager at Manchester City/City  Football Group, will co-chair the group. She will be joined by nine other industry leaders:

• Gurpri Bains, EDI Manager at Birmingham City FC
• Justin Brett, DEI, and CSR Specialist at the National Audit Office
• Kirsty Clarke, CEO at Northamptonshire Football Association
• Jamie Dapaah, EDI practitioner across football
• Kajol Desai, Senior Community Engagement Officer at Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket  Foundation
• Edleen John, senior independent consultant
• Erica Puppo, Head of EDI at FIFPRO
• Ruth Shaw, independent consultant at Affleck & Co
• James Swanson, Senior Marketing Manager at World Rugby

WIF Chair Ebru Köksal said: “The establishment of our new EEDI Advisory Group marks a vital step  forward in embedding equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of our work, not as a  standalone initiative, but as a strategic imperative that shapes everything we do.

“As football continues to grow as a global industry, we must ensure that the governance structures  reflect the diversity of our game and actively work to dismantle the systemic barriers that persist.  This advisory group will guide and challenge us to go further to drive bold, informed action that  ensures everyone in football feels seen, heard, and valued.”

Reflecting on joining the advisory group, Zarah Earnshaw said: “I have a huge passion to drive  change in the football industry, aiming to make it more equitable both on and off the pitch,  particularly for women through an intersectional lens. I’m a strong believer in the power of sport to  enable positive societal change and see this as a personal purpose to be fulfilled.”

WIF director Monique Choudhuri said: “At a time when global momentum around equality and  inclusion risks losing pace, Women in Football is doubling down on our commitment to driving  lasting, fundamental change in the industry. We believe that fairness, equity, and opportunity  should be non-negotiable. To ensure we stay accountable and embed these values in everything  we do, we’ve established a highly experienced and diverse advisory group that will guide and  challenge us as we work towards a more inclusive future for all.”

The advisory group is part of multiple initiatives to ensure that WIF continues to evolve and is truly  representative of the society we live in. The WIF Membership Committee was formed in June 2024  to deepen engagement with a greater cross-section of the football community and WIF’s  members, including male allies. The Vikki Orvice Director Development Scheme – named in  memory of one of WIF’s founding board members – will also be revamped, to support more  female leaders in the industry become board-ready.

The Women in Football Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI) Advisory Group will:

• provide oversight and guidance to the board and workforce regarding the development and  delivery of an organisational EEDI strategy, which sits as part of the overall business  strategy
• bring ideas and perspectives that will help support WIF in the implementation and  execution of a strategy which supports board, ambassadors, committee members, internal  workforce, and external stakeholders (members, partners, sponsors)
• hold the board and workforce to account in reflecting WIF’s inclusive aims and cultural  aspirations for EEDI
• ensure that WIF membership is inclusive and diverse, both fostering and creating a sense  of belonging, linking effectively with the WIF Membership Committee
• ensure that as an advisory group, it is aligned with WIF’s overall strategy to bring about  collaborative progress and impact in the industry

Women in Football is still inviting responses to take part in its 2025 annual industry survey which  gathers critical data on the experiences of women working and volunteering across different roles  in football, and assesses the current attitudes toward, and progress in, achieving gender equality in  the game.

About Women in Football 

Women in Football (WIF) is a vibrant professional network of around 12,000 people of all genders  who support equality in the football industry. We’re taking action to level the playing field for all  roles, on and off the pitch, in women’s and men’s football. We celebrate women’s achievements, campaign against sexism, and empower our members through inspirational networking and  professional development opportunities. We support organisations to become truly gender inclusive employers and stand ready to work with any stakeholders who share our vision of a  gender-equal future for football. To find out more visit www.womeninfootball.co.uk.