The elite women's pathway in English football lacks diversity, according to the coach.

According to the figures released by the Professional Footballers' Association, just 9.7 per cent of players at the elite level of the game are from diverse ethnic groups.

The British South Asian professionals in the top division of women's football only make up a small portion of the total. South Asian women make up the largest single ethnic minority female group in the country, and the movie 'Bend It Like Beckham' is based on an aspiring British footballer from a South Asian background.

The current system of talent identification and recruitment in the girls' and women's game excludes a lot of people according to the FA director of women's football.

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FA director of women's football Baroness Sue Campbell thinks meaningful change for diverse communities at the elite end of the women's game could take years, admitting the current system of Talent ID and recruitment excludes a lot of people

One of the biggest statistical anomalies in English football has been called for to be fixed by Tailor, the only South Asian heritage woman to hold such a role in the game.

Tailor thinks that the female pathway in the elite game is not diverse. I don't think it'srepresentative of England.

It's difficult to fully understand the landscape of how many South Asian females we have in the elite pathway - whether that is the pathway to the Women's Super League or not.

More needs to be done.

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When contacted by Sky Sports News, the Football Association was unable to provide any ethnicity data.

Sky Sports News referred to the FA's Asian Inclusion Strategy update and wider Diversity and Inclusion strategy.

Tailor's book "Dream Like Me: South Asian Football Trailbazers" profiles a number of people from the community who work in and around the game.

Kaljit Atwal freestyle football
Image: Freestyle footballer Kaljit Atwal has written the introductory chapter in Dream Like Me: South Asian Football Trailblazers

Some of the barriers encountered by British South Asians in football are shown to children in the stories.

Sanderson: Diverse talent not coming through concerning

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Former England international Lianne Sanderson says diverse ethnic under-representation remains an issue in elite girls' and women's football in England

The female talent pathway for girls from diverse ethnic background is a genuine source of concern.

England named an all-white squad for a game against Northern Ireland in 2021.

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England named an all-white starting XI for the game even though they were without two of their best players. The issue was brought to the fore again over the summer as England named an all-white starting XI for every match of their Women's Euros campaign, which saw them lift the trophy.

There was a squad picked for England a couple of years ago that didn't represent any people of colour and a lot of people have a lot to say about.

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FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham says the FA are committed to building a pathway for girls into football and increasing the diversity in the women's game

It wasn't like there wasn't any of us when I was a part of the team. It does concern me that there is not a lot of younger players, playing at grassroots and then coming through because, for me, it's getting blocked somewhere

I think the PFA are doing a good job, but it's all about talking about it.

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The manager of England spoke about it during the Euros and she didn't shy away from it. There are not many people of colour in the WSL squad.

"Now, I'm not saying we should pick people based on the colour of their skin, that's not what I have ever said, I'm just saying there has to be an issue somewhere."

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"The visibility is everything, and like I've said before, it isn't about picking people based on the colour of their skin or their sex, it's about picking the right people for the job and giving us that chance."

I think having these types of conversations will hopefully change that, because in the Euros it was obvious to me.

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For the last two or three years, it has been obvious, but I can't always be the person talking about it.

It needs more than one person to speak up. It was raised during the Euros, and hopefully we will start to see a lot more younger players come through the system that are from diverse background and are good enough to play for England.

How Sky is trying to make change

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Sky Sports announced a partnership with Sporting Equals early in 2022 to support the charity’s ambition of inspiring more opportunities for British South Asians in football

Sky Sports recognised and began taking steps to address the lack of diversity in the women's game back in 2020 as part of its commitment to tackle systemic racism.

Sky Sports has worked with dozens of current and former players from different ethnic groups to try and inspire the next generation of female football players.

As part of Sky Sports' unprecedented commitment to British South Asians in Football, talent has been identified and signposted directly to the Football Association and other international federations.

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A number of elite and potential female players and their families have been supported with off-field opportunities.

The 'Seeing Is Believing' event for the century-old west London sports club Indian Gymkhana was one of the ways Sky Sports supported participation across the country.

British South Asians in Football

Stay up to date with Sky Sports News and Sky Sports digital by visiting the South Asians in Football page on skysports.com.