Robins to fly the flag for diversity

The Robins, along with the Bostik League's Metropolitan Police, EVO-STIK League Southern Slimbridge and Solihull Moors representing the National League, have been chosen to recognise the work of the organisation and the Fans For Diversity campaign when they host Rushall Olympic at Moss Lane in the top flight on Saturday 7 October.

The annual campaign is run in partnership with the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) who are teaming up with Kick It Out for a series of activities and promotions at the four clubs for the sixth consecutive year on Non League Day. Organisers are hoping to encourage greater engagement with a diverse range of communities with the EVO-STIK League Premier Division's representatives focusing on encouraging more women to attend football matches through its Women At The Game initiative.

Jacqui Forster, head of diversity and inclusion at Altrincham, is looking forward to seeing the Robins showcasing their support for the aims of the annual initiative with their players wearing t-shirts recognising Kick It Out and Fans For Diversity during their pre-match warm up and supporters welcomed to the J. Davidson Stadium with badges, stickers, wristbands and fan clappers.

Forster said: "The football club can announce with pleasure that, on this coming Non-League Day, Altrincham Football Club have been selected by The Football Supporters' Federation as one of four Non-League clubs nationally to promote and celebrate inclusion and diversity in Non-League football by showcasing the Fans For Diversity initiative."

Fans at other games on Non League Day can get involved with Kick It Out’s work around the initiative by using the hashtag #OurNLD and including a picture of themselves at their respective stadium. Supporters are particularly encouraged to take images they feel celebrate the diversity of Non-League support – whether that’s related to age, disability, faith, gender, gender reassignment, race or sexual orientation.

Former player and manager Anwar Uddin, who leads on the Fans For Diversity campaign, is delighted to continue supporting Non League Day and believes this year’s partnership work will be the most impressive so far.

He said: "It’s vital for the Fans For Diversity campaign to engage with supporters at all levels of the football – not just the professional leagues – and that’s why I’m so pleased that we are able to continue promoting our messages of diversity and inclusion in Non-League football."

Non-League Day, one of the biggest events on the football calendar promoting the Non-League game, returns for an eighth consecutive season during next month's international break. NLD's official charity Prostate Cancer UK, along with a host of charities connected to clubs and leagues around the country are set to benefit from bucket collections and the charity fundraising efforts of fans.

Images courtesy of @kickitout & @altrinchamfc/Twitter

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague