What is Trailblazers?

The Trailblazers project for Premier League Academies is a celebration of the rich diversity of players in British football – past, present and future. This programme uncovers important hidden history. Beginning in 2020, Trailblazers guides Premier League academy players to discover their club’s first player of Black or Asian heritage, explore their experiences, and celebrate the club’s history with supporters and the wider community. Clubs will also create a legacy project, ensuring future players and fans learn this important history.

You can read about the club’s who have already taken part here.

In 2020, Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF) Kicks and Inspires groups also took part in Trailblazers, finding local players to celebrate and creating community projects around their stories. You can read more about their work here.

“The Trailblazers project fits perfectly into the Foundation’s aims of inspiring and engaging young people.”

Matt Pilkington, Manchester United Foundation

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