A lot more work needs to be done to make elite girls' and women's football a level playing field.

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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

Two of football's leading female voices in the fight to create a more diverse and welcoming game spoke to Sky Sports News during 'National Inclusion Week' and expressed their concern. I don't think it'srepresentative of England.

The number of British South Asian professionals in the top division of women's football is less than one per cent, according to figures released by the Professional Footballers' Association.

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Speaking during the Women's Euros, England captain Leah Williamson said she thought the FA was on the path to making diversity a priority issue in the girls' and womens game

Rai added her voice to those demanding action to address widespread inequalities in the girls' and women's game.

Rai told Sky Sports News that it needs to change.

A lot more work needs to be done at the elite level to make it a level playing field.

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Rebecca Spencer explains her path to becoming a Jamaica international having represented England at youth level

The authorities will have to do more to get to that stage - and even then they have to keep pushing.

The authorities and everyone else need to do more to make it more diverse.

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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

When contacted by Sky Sports News a little over a fortnight ago, the Football Association was unable to provide any ethnicity data on girls and women's elite pathways.

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England squad to play Austria
England and Arsenal footballer Jordan Nobbs believes the Lionesses are an inspiration to the nation.

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

Rai: We need the data on South Asian girls in football

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Derby County Women's winger Kira Rai says she feels lucky to enjoy the support of fans' group the Punjabi Rams

The Tailor, who is part of the FA Asian Female National Advisory Group, said it was difficult to get data about South Asian Women in football.

Rai wants to make sure girls from South Asian background are not left behind in women's football.

It's important to know how many South Asian girls play in the country.

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There seems to be more playing at grassroots level, but also how many have made the step up to the elite level, and what kind of measures we put in place to increase that number." It's important that we're aware of it.

Rai came off the bench to set up Amy Sims for the only goal of the game that lifted Derby up to fifth in the FA Women's National League Northern premier table.

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A third-tier record crowd of almost 4,500 watched Derby play Forest at the City Ground last year.

Rai will play at a current premier league stadium for the first time in her career on Sunday when she faces her former team-mates at the City Ground

Rai hoped that a good crowd would come down.

After the Lionesses' victory at the Euros, the numbers coming to our games have really improved, so hopefully at the City Ground, we'll get a big crowd."

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We are all looking forward to it. It's always a big occasion at the City Ground and now that it's a premier league stadium it's even bigger.

We want to come away with a victory. We want to beat them, they want to beat us, so it should be a good game.

One of my dearest friends is a player for Forest. We hope we can get one over on her, since she moved to Forest this season.

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Rai smiled and said he wasn't happy with her.

It will be nice to play against her again at football, we are still really good friends, so it will be nice to play against her.

How Sky is trying to make change

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Earlier this year, Sky Sports announced a partnership with Sporting Equals 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.

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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.