INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Delivering football enjoyment for boys and girls in the 21st Century
ISFA EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
The Independent Schools' Football Association (ISFA) embraces the Football Association's EDI strategy for 2024-2028, affirming our commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within school football. We recognise the vital importance of creating an inclusive environment where every player, regardless of their background, feels valued and empowered to participate in football.
Our approach aligns with the Football Association's vision to eliminate barriers, foster diverse leadership, and ensure equitable opportunities for all. We will implement educational initiatives that promote understanding and respect, actively engage our member schools in EDI efforts, and hold ourselves accountable to measurable outcomes.
As an organisation, we are fully committed to upholding the values outlined in this statement and embedding them into every aspect of our work.
ISFA is dedicated to cultivating a culture that celebrates diversity, champions equality, and provides a supportive framework for young athletes to not only excel on the field but also develop as individuals within their communities. Together, we can enrich the football experience for all and contribute to a more inclusive future in football.
-
From players across both genders within our National Representative Programmes, all surveyed players stated that ISFA demonstrates inclusivity and diversity.
-
Within our School Programme, most responding schools report that football participation broadly reflects the ethnic and religious makeup of their school communities.
-
Most ISFA member schools provide equal and inclusive access to football for both boys and girls across curriculum, co-curricular and representative pathways, demonstrating a clear commitment to gender equity.
-
Almost all member schools make appropriate adaptations to ensure pupils with disabilities or additional needs can participate fully in football provision, showing that inclusive practice is widely embedded across the sector.
Whilst we are incredibly proud of the strength of our data from both our National Representative Programmes and affiliated schools, it is also important that we acknowledge areas for development. In particular, our findings highlight opportunities to further strengthen disability inclusion and support for neurodiverse players. These insights are actively shaping the next phase of our EDI work and strategic priorities.
For more information please contact info@isfa.org.uk