Dear Greg,
Following our recent discussion, I am writing to confirm that I am tendering my resignation from the Board of The FA with effect from the Council and Board meetings in July.
Let me say at the outset that the achievement of the long overdue governance changes has been due in no small measure to your leadership as Chairman and your fulfilment of a process which ultimately proved successful. This is a major step in the journey to modernise The FA and open up access to those currently involved in the game and from a broader diversity of backgrounds and experience. I feel some satisfaction that The FA does now treat seriously the issues of inclusion and diversity.
As you know, I have fully supported moves to deliver necessary change and I believe the work undertaken by your predecessors and the Board has helped to promote the arguments for reform and the growing recognition that this is both necessary and crucial for The FA and its future relevance to the game.
I would also wish to put on record my appreciation of the commitment of the Sports Minister and Sport England in making this a priority and, in particular, securing greater representation of women on sports bodies. Certainly, in the future, having three women on the Board of The FA will make a very real difference to both the profile and culture of these debates as we look ahead.
Throughout this, my role as Chair of the Inclusion Advisory Board has been both rewarding and challenging and I would like to thank all of the members for their advice, insight and steadfast support during recent years.
From the first shared plan, which bound all the football authorities together to our position today, there has been progress. Increasingly this work is seen by all the participants as crucial to their endeavours and I am sure that the momentum for the work and the change which still needs to be brought about will continue under the new Chairman Paul Elliott, who brings a wealth of experience, not least as an ex-player and someone who has challenged discrimination for many years.
There are of course significant challenges still to be addressed. Like you I remain frustrated at the lack of progress for BAME coaches and managers in the professional game. This is an issue not just for the clubs and leagues, but also for The FA within its England set up at St. George’s Park. The Football League and Premier League are pursuing their initiatives and I would urge you and Paul to use your leadership to both work with them and to set the right example as the national federation for others to follow.
Currently we are in danger of losing, yet again, another generation of ex-players and other BAME individuals who want to play a role and have relevant skills and experience yet increasingly feel excluded. I know that there are really good intentions and a desire to make change but tangible action is required. I believe this matter is dear to you and I truly hope that you will be able to make real the wish felt by so many that, as The FA brand states, This Game is For All.
Finally, it has been a pleasure and an honour to serve as the first woman of colour on The FA Board as an Independent Director and I wish you and my colleagues all possible success in the future.
Yours sincerely,
DAME HEATHER RABBATTS
