The Premier League, The FA, EFL, LMA and PFA have collaborated to create the Coach Index, a self-registration system providing black, Asian, mixed heritage and female coaches with access to information about employment and development opportunities within professional football. The Coach Index has been created with the aim of producing a more inclusive and diverse coaching workforce, which is representative of the playing population. The launch is part of football’s ongoing action and commitment to improving the pathways for coaches from currently underrepresented groups within the game.

The Index enables relevant coaches with a minimum of an FA Level Two or UEFA C Licence qualification to sign up for alerts from clubs and football partners. Registered coaches will be signposted to relevant coaching opportunities, as well as updates on accessible professional learning and development activity. Professional clubs and football partners involved in the creation of the Index will be able to use the platform to alert registered coaches to opportunities.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "A key part of our No Room For Racism Action Plan is to address the lack of diversity and increase the opportunities for coaches from currently underrepresented groups. The Coach Index is designed to enhance career pathways and professional development, while supporting coaches’ journeys in the professional game.

"We are very proud to have led on the creation of the Coach Index, working with football partners and members of our Black Participants' Advisory Group to create a system which signposts to the opportunities available. We encourage all coaches who fulfil the criteria to register. We see incredible diversity on the pitch and in the stands, and we will continue to take steps to ensure this is reflected in off-field positions, particularly within coaching.”

Edleen John, The FA's Director of International Relations, Corporate Affairs and Co-partner for EDI, said: "I'm delighted to see the Coach Index launch, which will provide greater access to employment and development opportunities for coaches from historically underrepresented groups. Increasing the diversity of English football's coaching talent pipeline is a key commitment outlined in our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, A Game For All, and this Index complements the Football Leadership Diversity Code, which aims to improve diverse representation in senior leadership positions, coaching and team operations roles.

"This is another clear signal that footballing bodies are committed to working together to make the game more inclusive for all and a better representation of our modern society. We continue to encourage coaches to use this Index and to register their profile on the Football Leadership Diversity Code careers platform, which provides transparency on the wide range of roles available across football."

The Index will enable coaches who meet the criteria to create their own profile and tailor it so they can be sent appropriate employment, learning and development opportunities both in the men’s and women’s professional game. See the full story on the Premier League website here. Related content is also available.