Inclusion Advisory Group
Meet our Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) will work to increase awareness, understanding and knowledge of inclusion, equality and diversity (EDI).
This awareness will enable Oxfordshire FA to better meet the needs of all of our communities that would like to take part in football, or already involved in football, and ultimately our business.
Our IAG is made up with individuals possessing relevant expertise and knowledge that relates to EDI, and represent diverse backgrounds and communities. Some have footballing backgrounds, whether it be grassroots or beyond, while others take up membership based on their experiences outside of the game.
What unites all of our members is the vision of football being for all in Oxfordshire, whether that be through coaching, playing, refereeing, volunteering or supporting.
In delivering our 2024/28 Strategic Plan, which is focused on ensuring - with the help of all our local leagues - that every club continues to always be a fun, safe, welcoming, inclusive and supportive centre of the community.
Oxfordshire FA has been asked to be part of a pilot in partnership with the FA to revitalise the Respect Campaign.
You will increasingly see Positive Football Ambassadors from Oxfordshire FA, with support from our Sportsguard insurance partners, as boots on the ground at more local matches, encouraging everyone to treat each other in a caring and respectful way whether it be other players and supporters, match officials, coaches or other volunteers.
To help their Welfare Officers, we encourage every club and league to have volunteer Respect Marshals and Inclusion Champions.
Our Inclusion Advisory Group also play a key role in coaching those club and league Inclusion Champions. Kal Mann is a member of the OXFA IAG and here is what his role at Longford Park involves.
CLICK HERE TO READ HOW LONGFORD PARK WEAVE RESPECT INTO THE CLUB'S CULTURE
CLICK HERE TO READ HOW LONGFORD PARK IS MAKING INCLUSION CENTRAL TO EVERYTHING THEY DO
MEET THE INCLUSION ADVISORY GROUP
Joanne Harper
Chair
Joanne is a registered social worker and has enjoyed a career spanning 25 years, the majority of which she’s spent working with the Armed Forces community, both in the UK and overseas.
Raising a family within a very diverse and transient community inclusion is very important to Joanne, which she’s strived to promote in all aspects of her life. In 2012, Joanne became a volunteer with British Guiding Overseas.
Growing up in a family where everyone was involved in football, many a Saturday was spent pitchside. It was somewhat inevitable that Joanne would put on her own boots…in her 40s!
Married with two children, the connection to football has continued for Joanne as a football mum, ‘taxi’, and supporter for her own daughter, as she pursues her football career.
Tess Brown
Tess has a passion for equality in football. Currently a Programme Manager, Tess brings her extensive background in the motorsport industry, and her experience of establishing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, to the forefront. She's a former youth and university-level football player, who's dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within Oxfordshire.
Paul Norton
Oxford-born, Paul played senior football for 20 years in the county.
Paul has held a variety of voluntary roles and is a FA qualified coach.
A Diversity, Equality and Inclusion ambassador, Paul is passionate about the FA Football For All programme and supporting the Oxfordshire FA with the leadership necessary to ensure grassroots football is genuinely accessible to all.
Paul is a Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Ambassador at Jaguar Land Rover, and part of the REACH Staff Network.
Kulginder Singh Mann
Kulginder's previous roles within inclusion include trade unions, supporting black and ethnic workers, and social housing; whilst also volunteering in various positions in charity and multicultural events.
Kulginder is a forward-thinking individual, who enjoys supporting people to be amazing at what they do through education, inspiring and motivational groups. His motto is 'be the change'.
Jason O'Callaghan
Jason is currently Head of Physical Activity at Age UK Oxfordshire, leading a service supporting older adults to remain active and enabling them to maintain their health, mobility, and independence.
Prior to this, Jason spent over a decade at England and Great Britain Hockey in participation roles, with highlights including developing the initial Equality, Diversity and Inclusion framework for the sport, launching Walking Hockey, overseeing significant growth in disability provision, and implementing hockey’s first-ever performance pathway and national team, for players with intellectual disabilities.
Jason Carbon
Over the past three decades, Jason has run his own football coaching business, which operates in over 35 schools within Oxfordshire at grassroots to pro club level.
Jason's passion is coaching and youth/community work, teaming up with Oxfordshire Youth, Oxford City Council (Sports Development and Youth Ambition teams) plus Oxfordshire FA. He has previously served as County Cup secretary for Girls and Women's cup finals, and as a member of the Football League Anti Discrimination panel.
As an IAG member, Jason's aim is to make football, at all levels, more accessible for everyone, and to assist Oxfordshire FA in becoming the most inclusive County FA.
Abu Hassan Hanif
A highly-respected figure, Hassan has made a significant impact on both religious and business communities in Banbury. As the Chairman of the Banbury Madni Masjid, and a successful local businessman, his contributions to the community have been vast and varied.
Basharat was raised in Banbury, and his connection to the town is deep-rooted. After completing his education, he stepped into the world of business, showing a keen entrepreneurial spirit that has led him to become a successful local businessman. His businesses, which span across various sectors, have not only thrived but also provided employment opportunities for many in the community.
In 2017, Basharat turned his attention to the religious life of Banbury's Muslim community. He has been serving as the chairman of the Banbury Madni Masjid for for the last five years, providing leadership and direction for the mosque. He has led many initiatives to strengthen interfaith dialogue, promote a better and true understanding of Islam, and foster a sense of unity within the community. His efforts have played a significant role in enhancing the spiritual and social life of the mosque's attendees.
Hassan is highly-regarded for, despite his numerous responsibilities, he has never failed to serve his community with the utmost dedication and compassion. His work continues to have a profound and positive impact on the people of Banburyshire.
Harry Baker
Harry works for Cherwell District Council as a Senior Youth Activator. His role is to go into schools and communities across North Oxfordshire and deliver fun and inclusive sporting sessions to keep the residents of Cherwell active.
Harry has volunteered on the Oxfordshire FA Inclusion Advisory Group in previous years. He is also a patron for the Rafiki Thabo Foundation, helping children in Uganda, Lesotho and Kenya get the chance of education.
Harry also plays football for the England Cerebral Palsy team and has competed in eight major tournaments.
Co-opted Inclusion Advisory Group Member - OFA Youth Leadership Group
Andy Hunt
Andy serves as the Chair of Oxfordshire FA’s Youth Leadership Team,. Through his understanding and engagement of young participants across the county, Andy will be responsible for ensuring the voice of young people is represented on the Inclusion Advisory Group.
Alongside his role with Oxfordshire FA’s YLT and IAG, Andy is an active referee in Oxfordshire, is involved with Tower Hill Football Club and sits on the Oxfordshire Referees Association as Youth Delegate, representing young referees in the county.
Co-opted Inclusion Advisory Group Member - Active Oxfordshire
Harmy Mattu
Equity and Engagement Manager
Oxfordshire FA is delighted to have Active Oxfordshire work in collaboration with us, supporting us with our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion by providing a co-opted member through their Equity & Diversity Manager, Harmy Mattu.
Mark Thomas – Social Inclusion Lead – Oxford United in the Community
Mark is the Social Inclusion Lead at Oxford United in the Community where he works across Oxfordshire.
Mark’s role includes a range of programmes where participants may have been excluded from Physical Activity, Training and Employment and supports participants to access these opportunities. Such programmes include Premier League Kicks, Inclusion Football Sessions and Refugee Football Sessions.
Jonathan Duckworth
Oxfordshire FA Chief Executive Officer