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England vice-captain Jordan Nobbs vows to continue tackling discrimination in football

Jordan Nobbs and Paul Mortimer (L) deliver a workshop at a North London secondary school
Image: Jordan Nobbs and Paul Mortimer (L) deliver a workshop at a North London school (photo: Dev Trehan)

Arsenal Ladies and England midfielder Jordan Nobbs is keen to step up her efforts to promote inclusion and diversity in football.

Nobbs, who was named Vauxhall's England Player of the Year last month, is one of Kick It Out's Next20 ambassadors, alongside fellow Lioness Toni Duggan and men's footballers including Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland.

The Next20 initiative was launched by the Kick It Out campaign in 2013, using 20 young players as role models to help the spread the organisation's core values and help make football a more welcoming environment for all communities.

"I've been privileged to be a part of Kick It Out's work over the last couple of years and I hope there is more I can do to encourage all people to get involved," Nobbs told Sky Sports.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Jordan Nobbs of Arsenal in action during the SSE Women's FA Cup Final between Arsenal Ladies and Chelsea Ladies at Wembley Stadiu
Image: Nobbs helped Arsenal Ladies to their 14th Women's FA Cup win last season

"They play a very important role in encouraging everyone to be a part of sport. Nobody should feel too shy or too scared to be a part of it and elite athletes have a role to play in getting that message across.

"I really enjoy the opportunities I have to go into schools and speak to young people or people with disabilities on behalf of the campaign. Those are great days, and for me, it's a chance to see more of what goes on.

"I feel like the more I keep learning and experiencing, the better I become as a person and the more I can also help get people involved."

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England and Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs talks about losing out to Manchester City in the Women's Super League and England's Euro 2017 draw.

Kick It Out have expanded their work across the women's game in recent years and delivered a workshop to players and staff at two-time FA WSL champions Liverpool Ladies at the end of last season.

"A key part of our visits are to raise awareness of what we stand for and the work we do - it's vital we educate the players about what we're trying to achieve," the organisation's Professional Players Engagement Manager Paul Mortimer said.

England striker Toni Duggan is a Kick It Out Next20 ambassador (photo - Dev Trehan)
Image: Man City and England striker Toni Duggan (c) is a Kick It Out Next20 ambassador (photo - Dev Trehan)

"We try to organise as many of these sessions as possible with Premier League, English Football League and FA WSL clubs throughout the season. Liverpool FC are receptive to accommodating these sessions and we've been to visit the club for the last few years."

Liverpool Ladies boss, Scott Rogers, added: "Kick It Out go up and down the country doing workshops at professional clubs and we were delighted they did one with our players recently.

Liverpool Ladies welcomed Kick it Out for a workshop in November
Image: Liverpool Ladies welcomed Kick it Out for a workshop in November

"We were also pleased to support them by wearing T-shirts ahead of our last game of the season against Arsenal. We have lots of players of different nationalities and I thought it was very important for us to support that.

"We as a club fully support Kick It Out and understand the importance of raising awareness of all forms of discrimination - not just in football, but in life in general."

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