As part of the Say No to Hate initiative, funded by Roman Abramovich, the Foundation have teamed up with the Football Association to deliver a groundbreaking programme, creating new opportunities for coaches from black, Asian and historically under-represented ethnic communities and females to tackle the lack of representation within the game.
The Foundation has provided funding for the initiative for the previous five years, during which time 16 coaches have graduated from the programme and gone on to develop careers in football.
The revamped programme will now offer 10 aspiring coaches the chance to develop their skills and qualifications through exciting opportunities, including observing England national team development camps, study visits to professional clubs to observe the male and female academies, one-to-one mentoring, as well as tactical and analysis workshops.
The initiative will offer the chance for male participants with UEFA B licences or female coaches with a minimum of a Level 2 qualification to gain practical experience and enhanced qualifications. As part of the programme, two places will be made available for Chelsea coaches to participate.
Butch Fazal, FA Coach Inclusion and Diversity Manager, said: 'The FA are delighted to continue this invaluable partnership with Chelsea Foundation in our united aim to deliver inspirational opportunities to coaches from historically under-represented backgrounds and females looking to pursue a career in the professional game.
'Chelsea have supported the Elite Mentee Programme for the past five years and now continue with the Mentee Development Programme (MDP), which is a demonstrable example of their commitment to inclusion and diversity.'
The MDP programme highlights a key component of Chelsea’s No To Hate initiative –to increase diversity throughout all levels of football, creating clubs and sporting organisations that are truly representative of our communities.
Head of the Chelsea Foundation, Simon Taylor, said: 'We are incredibly proud to continue working alongside the FA to create a game that is open to all. Throughout our partnership with the MDP programme, we have created a host of new opportunities and with this new funding we look forward to seeing a new generation of coaches from diverse backgrounds establishing themselves within the game.
'As well as celebrating our own history and using education to tackle discrimination, the No To Hate programme is looking to make football more representative.'
Applications to be part of this existing programme can be accessed here.