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Ameobi "excited and proud" to be part of first Player to Executive Pathways Scheme cohort
Written by Andrew Lisgo
Shola Ameobi is continuing to work with the Premier League as they develop a new programme which aims to encourage more former players to pursue careers in football when their playing days come to an end.
The Player to Executive Pathway Scheme (PEPS) was recently launched as part of the Premier League's commitment to increase diversity at top level and throughout workforces in football.
The PEPS pilot cohort was formed at the end of 2022 with six members of the Premier League's Black Participants' Advisory Group, with Ameobi helping to shape the future of the leadership programme.
"The Player to Executive Pathway Scheme is a way to help ex-players who have ambitions to have go down the executive route and really give them encouragement and skillset to do that," explained Ameobi, who was speaking during the two-year anniversary of the Premier League's No Room For Racism initiative.
"It's really important that every sector, from boardroom to coaching, is covered and diversity is within the pathway. It gives players from diverse backgrounds the encouragement to set foot into different sectors, learning new skills whether it's understanding more of the finances of football clubs, the boardroom framework or other aspects of a football club.
"I'm really excited and proud to be part of this first cohort and to be able to help shape what the pathways will look like moving forward and how it will help others."
As part of the Player to Executive Pathway Scheme, Ameobi takes part in a number of programmes including cross-departmental roles, leadership workshops and networking events, with the club's Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth, helping shape the opportunities as one of the programme's mentors.
"Dan has been at the top of his game and I'm very fortunate to have him as a mentor," said Ameobi. "Working under him has been hugely exciting and it's great that he is part of this scheme and wants to help move it forward. I'm excited to have him as a mentor and it's been a huge bonus to have him involved.
"I want to sit here in a few years after a few more cohorts and see that they have grown and there are more young and diverse people taking part and feeling like they belong in their positions. This is what the scheme is about - it's about educating and giving confidence."
As part of his role on the Premier League's Black Participants' Advisory Board, Ameobi has also seen the work of the No Room For Racism campaign grow and play a part to make a positive impact.
"It's been a lot of change - not just in football but in society as a whole," he said. "The Premier League are making sure that they are playing a key role in addressing racism through their work and the initiatives and pathways that are being created.
"The No Room For Racism action plan is a way of the Premier League educating people and focusing on the main issues, which is making sure that discrimination isn't part of the game or wider society."
Newcastle United is continuing its support of the Premier League's No Room For Racism programme, with the club's dedicated game of action taking place this weekend when the Magpies face Liverpool at St. James' Park.
"It's really important that every sector, from boardroom to coaching, is covered and diversity is within the pathway. It gives players from diverse backgrounds the encouragement to set foot into different sectors."